Kent and Gretchen Collard

Kent and Gretchen have been Directors since 1998. Kent grew up spending summers and holidays at the Ranch with his grandparents, Grover and Erma Gates. He worked on the Ranch crew and as the Ranch Manager before becoming Director. Kent has a BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley, and a MA in Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Gretchen was a camper, a counselor, the CILT Director, and has been the Staff Director since 2000. She has a BA in Spanish Literature from UC Davis, and a MA in Social Work from UCLA. Gretchen has over 10 years experience working with children and families as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Kent and Gretchen live at the Ranch with their children, Melia, Weston, and Olin, and their dog, Bear.

Laura Higley

Laura first came to Camp with her parents when she was 4 years old… and hasn’t missed a summer since! She was a camper for years, worked as a counselor & CILT Director during college, and moved into the Assistant Director position in 1990. Laura accepted the additional position of Office Manager in 1998 & moved to the Ranch to live & work full-time. Laura earned a BS in Human Development and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from UC Davis. She lives at the Ranch with her husband Paul and two children, Taryn and Grayson. The whole family was adopted years ago by their cat, Kitty.