Treasures Come in Many Forms
As a trusted leader in philanthropic connections, YouthBridge Community Foundation of Greater St. Louis was a natural choice when a donor needed guidance on supporting organizations with shared goals. Recently retired from a major law firm that encouraged and supported charitable giving, Ray Massey and his wife, Lynn, set out to focus their philanthropy on organizations dedicated to improving children’s lives.
The Masseys’ awareness of YouthBridge’s strong reputation led them to reach out to explore whether their family’s country property could be used to benefit youth in the St. Louis area. Happy to make connections, YouthBridge compiled a list of possibilities and began making introductions. While all the organizations presented were worthy of support, The Wyman Center particularly resonated with Ray and Lynn. The Masseys’ 3 Creek Ranch is located on 500 acres of land in southeast Missouri in the Ozarks and is used for family and business recreation. After visiting Camp Wyman and seeing youngsters enjoying outdoor life, it seemed natural that they might enjoy 3 Creek Ranch as well. The Ranch features two lakes with pavilions, streams, pastures, and vast expanses of trees, ideal for youth camping. Given Wyman’s expertise in youth development programming and staffing, the partnership was a perfect match.
With YouthBridge’s support, Wyman organized and led four groups of teens on multi-day outdoor adventures at 3 Creek Ranch. Over three to four days, campers immersed themselves in nature with activities like tree-climbing, rappelling, canoeing, and exploring the woods and pastures. The campers were curious about who owned the land, why it was purchased, and the process of acquiring property. Ray and Lynn exchanged stories and shared wisdom with the young people, leading to Ray’s assessment that “The experience shored the gulf between country and city and sparked interests that were not previously considered.”
While 3 Creek Ranch is quite a distance from Camp Wyman, being “out in the country” added to the campers’ experience, offering a true escape into nature during their summer stay. The Masseys had another objective as well. Knowing the St. Louis region’s strong philanthropic spirit, they felt confident that other families with large rural properties would be pleased to share their land with youth who want to see what rural life is like. The Masseys hope their example leads the way for others to open their spaces to Camp Wyman or other similar organizations, creating more opportunities for meaningful outdoor experiences.
Once again, YouthBridge’s extensive network has successfully supported youth. Whether sought out by a nonprofit in need or by a donor searching for like-minded organizations to support, YouthBridge consistently fosters connections. After all, the most functional bridge is one that goes both ways!