Butte Creek Ranch

08/19/2026

Attention Butte Creek Wranglers, Eastbound Horse Trek Participants, and those who were signed-up for the Westbound Horse Trek/Ranch Camp: Mark your calendar, we’ll be starting our new Butte Creek Wrangler year with Wrangler Kickoff and Training the weekend of September 18-20. Plan to join us and come Ride For the Brand!!
BC Wrangler

08/02/2026

Sadly, we have had to cancel Ranch Camp. An email has been sent to all who registered and refunds will be issued shortly. We know this is disappointing but our email contains some exciting opportunities, so the adventure is far from over. We’ll be here when you come to Butte Creek and always ready for you to COME RIDE WITH US!

RANCH CAMP 2026-REGISTER NOW

The Westbound Horse Trek has been cancelled due to the large fires that have developed on and near the northern portion of our trek route.

While we cannot offer the Westbound Trek, we are excited to offer what has
been one of the most popular and memorable programs in the history of Butte Creek Scout Ranch, Ranch Camp. For those who love horses and the outdoors, Ranch
Camp is far more than a replacement program. It is a unique opportunity to
experience the authentic lifestyle of the American cowboy while living and working
on one of the Willamette Valley’s premier horse ranches. Nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Cascade Mountains, just southeast of Portland, Butte Creek Scout Ranch encompasses over 670 acres, with an additional 3,500 acres of adjoining timberland. Home to more than seventy horses, it is the largest horse ranch in Oregon's Northern Willamette Valley and provides an outstanding setting for an unforgettable week of adventure.

During Ranch Camp you will you will be paired-up with a horse that will be
your own for the week. You’ll immediately begin to learn how to care for your horse,
saddle and bridle, and how to ride. Everyday, there will be sessions on natural
horsemanship followed by lots of riding in the foothills of the Cascades. You’ll learn
how to rope, trail cows, and other traditional cowboy skills.

During the week, we’ll take some rides where we camp out overnight and sleep under the stars. And there’ll be opportunities to fish, hike, explore nature, and visit the trading post in your free
time. Every evening we’ll spend time around a traditional cowboy campfire featuring
stories, cowboy poetry, music, and fellowship.

To conclude the week, families will be invited to the Ranch for a western barbecue where you will demonstrate many of the skills you have learned and share the experiences of your week on the Ranch. Ranch Camp has earned an outstanding reputation because it combines horsemanship, adventure, responsibility, and fun into an experience that you will remember for a lifetime. We sincerely hope you will choose to join us.

Ranch Camp will begin at Butte Creek Scout Ranch on Saturday, August 22
and conclude on Sunday, August 30.

There are openings for riders. If you would like to register for this outstanding week of learning, riding, having fun and making new friends, please contact Ben Marshall at the Scout Service Center no later than Friday, August 14, 2026. Ben’s contact information appears below.

We are confident that Ranch Camp will
provide an exciting, rewarding, and memorable western adventure. Check out the pictures we’ve posted of previous Ranch Camps. We hope you will saddle up and join us for a fantastic week at Butte Creek Scout Ranch. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
BC Wrangler

Ben Marshall
Phone 503.225.5706
[email protected]

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day from the Wranglers, Rangers, and Leadership at Butte Creek Scout Ranch.

06/16/2026

Butte Creek Wranglers, Family, and Friends:
We have the opportunity to support the Ranch through our volunteer service at the St Paul Rodeo. Join a team of volunteers and help with the recycling around the rodeo grounds. Our role is to empty the can and bottle bins around the rodeo. We keep the deposits and all funds raised from this buy hay for the horse herd.

Please sign up for a shift or two at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084DA4AF2FA0FDC52-64126999-2026

Upon registration, you will receive an email from Jason Macpherson with details on where to meet, supplies, etc. His email is [email protected] if you have questions.

This effort also provides great visibility in the community and brings awareness to the work we are doing at Butte Creek. Thanks in advance for your support!

Help support Butte Creek Scout Ranch by volunteering at the St. Paul Rodeo. We have the opportunity to collect bottles and cans during the Rodeo June 30 - July 4th. All the funds raised will go directly to support Butte Creek. Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign u...

04/27/2026

Save the Date. The weekend of May 30th is our big Work Weekend. We will need lots of hands. The projects range from construction, painting, pouring peirs for new staff cabins, brush clearing in some program areas, rail fence building and many other projects. We had an amazing turn out last year and hopefully all of you can come back this year and bring some family and friends.

04/07/2026

Attention Horse Owners: Butte Creek Scout Ranch is looking to give your donated horse a new home and a new life where it can be used in our horsemanship program for boys and girls involved in the Scouting program. (Please look through our page to get an idea of who we are and how our horses partner with us to give kids great horseback experiences.) Although we have two large animal vets associated with our program, we don't have a lot of money to spend on vet bills so your donated horse should be in good condition, sound of wind and leg, have good feet, and be no more than 15 years of age. Your horse will be used for weekend trail riding, our 180 mile horse trek through the Cascades, and at our summer camps. You will receive documentation of your charitable donation for tax purposes. If you have a horse that you would like to donate to us, please send us a private FB message with your name and telephone number or call Head Wrangler Daniel Lawson at 541.609.7138.
Thank you and Happy Trails

03/31/2026

Howdy Folks
You are invited to the greatest celebration day of the year. Come join us for Easter sunrise service at Butte Creek Scout Ranch. It all starts at 7:00 am Sunday April 5. The Crooked Finger Band will perform a little blue grass worship, we will hear a inspiring gospel message and enjoy a ham and egg breakfast. It will be just like the good old days! All you should do is bring your favorite breakfast pastry we will provide the rest.
DM Scott DePaolo if you have any questions or need directions!
Happy Easter and HappyTrails

02/12/2026

Last weekend’s great Li’l Buckaroo program at Butte Creek Scout Ranch. Hey, come ride with us!

01/03/2026

UPDATE: A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY: WINTER KICKOFF AND TRAINING FOR PROSPECTIVE WRANGLERS:
Just a reminder, if you completed a CPC Horse Trek and wanted to become a Butte Creek Wrangler, but could not come out this Fall due to school, sports, or other commitments, there is another opportunity to become a wrangler. A Winter Kickoff and training weekend is scheduled for January 9-11, 2026.
To be considered you must have successfully completed a Horse Trek or Circle Trek, complete the Wrangler Application Form, be interviewed, and sign the BCR Wrangler Agreement. You must also become a registered member of the Butte Creek Venture Crew. The application and Agreement will be provided when you arrive. Being a year-round wrangler is a big commitment; as we always say, "this ain't no pony ride."
Kickoff is all about training and we are really excited to offer this additional opportunity to become a Butte Creek Wrangler. For the Winter Kickoff and Training weekend, our program begins on Friday, January 9 at 8:00 PM with Cracker Barrel at the bunkhouse.
Be sure to have your up to date medical form. And, be sure to have your cowboy hat, boots, wild-rag, sleeping bag, 3 changes of clothes, toiletry kit, jacket, rain gear, work gloves, water bottle, flashlight, watch, writing pad, pencil, and pen. Plan to take notes and fill-out paperwork. Our policy is to BE PREPARED and we dress for who we are and the ranch work we do! We wear cowboy hats, jeans, boots, and long-sleeve shirts, tucked-in. And this is what is expected for every weekend, from the time you arrive, until the time you leave. No exceptions! Now, if you are new, don't run right out and buy these things. One of our sessions is on gear and clothing and you will be better off acquiring your clothing and gear after you attend this session and if you become a year-round wrangler.
Winter Wrangler Kickoff and Training ends at 5:00 PM on Sunday, January 11. To come to our Winter Kickoff and Training weekend, please sign-up on the Butte Creek Wrangler Association Crew 492 page, no later than Thursday, January 8. You may also confirm your attendance and get additional information by contacting Rob Walch, Crew Advisor, at 503.348.4893. Participants, please make sure your contact is Youth Protection compliant. And, please make sure to thank your folks for supporting your participation in the Wrangler Crew. We look forward to seeing everyone again. It's going to be a great weekend.
Happy Trails,
Butte Creek Scout Ranch
Cascade Pacific Council
Scouting America

12/02/2025

A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY: WINTER KICKOFF AND TRAINING FOR PROSPECTIVE WRANGLERS:
If you completed a CPC Horse Trek and wanted to become a Butte Creek Wrangler, but could not come out this Fall due to school, sports, or other commitments, there is another opportunity to become a wrangler. A Winter Kickoff and training weekend is scheduled for January 9-11, 2026.

To be considered you must have successfully completed a Horse Trek or Circle Trek, complete the Wrangler Application Form, be interviewed, and sign the BCR Wrangler Agreement. You must also become a registered member of the Butte Creek Venture Crew. Being a year-round wrangler is a big commitment; as we always say, "this ain't no pony ride."

Kickoff is all about training and we are really excited to offer this additional opportunity to become a Butte Creek Wrangler. For the Winter Kickoff and Training weekend, our program begins on Friday, January 9 at 8:00 PM with Cracker Barrel at the bunkhouse.

Be sure to have your up to date medical form. And, be sure to have your cowboy hat, boots, wild-rag, sleeping bag, 3 changes of clothes, toiletry kit, jacket, rain gear, work gloves, water bottle, flashlight, watch, writing pad, pencil, and pen. Plan to take notes and fill-out paperwork. Our policy is to BE PREPARED and we dress for who we are and the ranch work we do! We wear cowboy hats, jeans, boots, and long-sleeve shirts, tucked-in. And this is what is expected for every weekend, from the time you arrive, until the time you leave. No exceptions! Now, if you are new, don't run right out and buy these things. One of our sessions is on gear and clothing and you will be better off acquiring your clothing and gear after you attend this session and if you become a year-round wrangler.

Winter Wrangler Kickoff and Training ends at 5:00 PM on Sunday, January 11.

To come to our Winter Kickoff and Training weekend, please send a message to Rob Walch and Daniel Lawson via this page so we can send you additional information. Make sure your messages are directed to both of us so that we are Youth Protection compliant. We will also post additional information on this page after January 1.

Make sure to thank your folks for supporting your participation in the Wrangler Crew. We look forward to seeing everyone again. It's going to be a great weekend.
Happy Trails,
BC Wrangler