Dream Weavers By Mark Conklin

Robert Greenleaf once said, “Not much happens without a dream. And for something great to happen, there must be a great dream. Behind every great achievement is a dreamer of great dreams. Much more than a dreamer is required to bring it to reality; but the dream must be there first.” Skipper Bettis is a dreamer of great dreams and a “dream weaver” for countless others who want to make their dream a reality. For almost three decades, Skipper has helped clients worldwide make their hunting dreams come true. Skipper has been a professional guide since 1975 and managing partner of Legends Ranch since 1998. During the last six years, the Legends Ranch has achieved worldwide acclaim for trophy whitetail hunting and world-class customer service. But, many are not aware that during the same time frame,

Skipper turned his heart toward a different dream and has turned that dream into reality.
He dreamed of a day when the air at his ranch, presently the largest managed whitetail hunting operation in Michigan with almost five square miles of prime habitat, would echo with the sound of children laughing and sharing tall tales of their days hunting activities. He was not dreaming of just any group of children and their families, he was thinking of those who would likely never be afforded the opportunity to experience the heart-pounding thrill that accompanies the hunt of a lifetime for a crafty Northern Whitetail Buck.

So, in 1999 Skipper contacted Richard Jordan, founder of Christian Sportsmen’s Fellowship and plans were conceived to host the inaugural Special Youth Challenge Hunt for eight physically challenged young hunters. Since that initial hunt, Skipper and his staff at the Legends Ranch have been turning dreams into reality every September.
Christian Sportsmen’s Fellowship was formed in 1994, to establish an international network of local church based chapters who create outreach venues such as our statewide and National Special Youth Challenge events. Young aspiring sportsmen who have experienced a hard life due to debilitating or terminal illnesses are taken on a lifetime dream experience weekend with a little help from other CSF members. Several states across the nation are making preparations to host such events or have already conducted Special Youth Challenge events since 1999, including Oklahoma, Montana, Arkansas, Missouri, and Michigan. Representatives from each state level event are invited to attend the national forum held each year at the Legends Ranch.

This year, the Catch-A-Dream Foundation was asked to invite Stanley Davis, a sixteen year old with naso pharyngeal carcinoma (a rare form of cancer), on a lifetime dream experience weekend. Stanley, who goes by Bubba is from Waycross, Georgia and traveled with his family to the National Special Youth Challenge.
Catch-A-Dream was founded in late 2000, to memorialize native Mississippian and noted outdoor writer and sculptor Bruce Brady. When battling cancer, Bruce drew strength and hope from his outdoor experiences. Like Skipper, he had a dream to provide life-changing outdoor experiences to children who need those experiences the most. Upon Brady’s death from cancer in February 2000, the Bruce Brady Memorial Catch-A-Dream program was established to meet the challenge of providing these opportunities for seriously ill children.

Bubba and his family arrived in Big Rapids, Michigan and were immediately greeted by their enthusiastic hosts and their Legends Ranch limousine service. After a short drive, they arrived at the main lodge and were greeted by the exceptionally professional staff of guides, hostesses and the executive chef that compose the staff at the Legends Ranch. The impeccable care of the grounds, lodge and surrounding buildings left an immediate and unshakeable impression that this was going to be a “first class” experience. After an early dinner and a visit to the shooting range, Bubba made it clear he was ready to harvest the buck of a lifetime with his 7mm magnum.

Soon, Bubba was joined by seven other young aspiring sportsmen who would also be hosted during this weekend. As they arrived, each child was assigned a personal guide who was responsible for their readiness, care and most importantly, making their dream hunt an “etched memory” they and their families would never forget. Skipper’s dream was being fulfilled for the fifth straight year. Children between the ages of thirteen to nineteen suffering from cancer, cerebral palsy, spinal bifida, blindness, mental challenges and other ailments began to warm the property with their smiles, laughter and hopes of the harvest. They had packed their gear and their dreams and headed to the “Place of Dreams.” For these few days, the cares of the world they left behind were left behind. They now had a singular forward focus. All of these teenagers experience different challenges on a daily basis, but now they shared one common challenge, to harvest the whitetail deer of a lifetime.

Others have joined Skipper to make the dreams of others come true and this year was no exception. Charles Walthour sponsored one of the hunters as they drove sixteen hours from Georgia. Vern Edewaard and Fred Leonard from the Michigan Chapter of Safari Club International hosted two children and also provided the SCI Sensory Safari trailer so each child, regardless of their “challenges” could experience wildlife from around the world in a unique “hands on” exhibit. The hunt was also supported by Ron Lundberg in conjunction with Cabela’s, Coca-Cola Consolidated of Charlotte, North Carolina, Michigan Whitetails Unlimited, Mossy Oak Ministries and a host of individual donors who believe in making the dreams of others come true. Thanks to the generosity of Mike DiSario of Outdoor Expeditions International and Jim Clinton of Wild Heart Outdoors all of the action was caught on tape to keep the dream alive!
Michael Podesta once wrote “the joy of hunting and fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive yet attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope!” The same could be said for the pursuit of dreams; they are elusive, but attainable. To learn more about how you can participate in Statewide Special Youth Challenge events hosted by local CSF chapters contact Jerick Henley of the Christian Sportsmen’s Fellowship at (406) 360-6018 or contact CSF at info@christiansportsman.com. Also, visit Legends Ranch website at www.legendsranch.com or call (231) 745-8000.