Candlelight Ranch

Candlelight Ranch provides educational and nature-based experiences for families and children of all abilities and needs to learn, explore and heal.  The founders of Candlelight Ranch envisioned a special, natural, and accessible Hill Country environment where children could experience the wonders and beauty of nature. The beautiful 41-acre ranch located on the north shore of Lake Travis includes multiple accessible facilities for fun, educational and therapeutic outdoor experiences. The Ranch offers its innovative, customized science and nature-based curricula to 35+ non-profit youth-serving organizations and schools, to enhance and extend our outreach and programming. We have an engaged Board, dedicated staff, volunteers and offer experiential learning opportunities for college students. 

We offer innovative, customized science and nature-based curricula to local non-profit youth-serving organizations and schools, to youth with special needs, and to low income, foster and military families experiencing challenges and disconnection. Our programming alleviates stress, encourages family bonding, builds confidence, and educates participants about the values and joys of nature.

Despite the academic consensus on the benefits of outdoor activity in natural spaces for human health, low-income families and people with disabilities continue to encounter systematic barriers that prevent them from enjoying the benefits that wilderness areas provide their visitors. By providing programming based both in the Round Rock community and at our 41 acre Lake Travis property we bridge the nature accessibility gap by providing a safe, accommodating, and affordable space for children and their caregivers to explore nature and participate in nature focused activities otherwise inaccessible to them.

Our High Ropes & zipline course includes specialized equipment making these beneficial activities accessible to those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. Other adventure-based experiences including adaptive hiking, archery and equine assisted learning are designed to promote confidence building, create positive peer to peer connection, and ensure a sense of accomplishment and pride in self. Multiple wheelchair accessible facilities including an accessible treehouse, wildlife viewing platform, bird sanctuary, our interactive water feature “Chillville” and hiking trail to Jeri Springs (a beautiful fern filled grotto) ensure individuals of all abilities have access to the mental and physical benefits of time spent connecting with nature. Adaptive equipment and trained, educated staff, including Recreation Therapists, ensure that each activity accommodates everyone’s unique needs and elevates them to their highest level of independence.

Our Programs: 

•       Children in Nature: customized, accessible nature programming for children with disabilities or who are at-risk;

•       Families in Nature: for special needs, adoptive and foster families to grow together;

•       Military Families in Nature: assisting families in teamwork, stress reduction, communication & fun;

•       Outdoor Explorers: In partnership with Round Rock ISD special education, community-based six week program for adolescents with special needs that builds social and recreational skills;