J. Todd Vinson is the Founder and Executive Director of Willow Springs Boys' Ranch and
Jacob's Ladder Camps and Retreats in Chandler, OK.
Willow Springs Boys' Ranch provides a long-term home for boys who are displaced or whose families are in crisis. WSBR serves boys from across Oklahoma and the United States.
Jacob's Ladder Camps and Retreats strives to strengthen inter-personal relationships, develop character, leadership, and introduce the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jacob's Ladder facilitates groups for high school and college athletics, youth groups, service groups, prepares mission teams, couples and families retreats, rites of passage retreats, and corporate retreats.
Jacob's Ladders function is to help fund the mission of Willow Springs Boys Ranch.
Todd holds a B.A in Psychology and a Masters in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Todd is a former Young Life staffer in Norman, OK. He also is a former Kanakuk Kamp counselor. Both of these organizations have had a profound influence on his life as he works with youth and families.
Todd and his wife, Jeannie, have been married for fourteen years and have four girls: Mattie, Ellie, Avery and Murphy. They are active members of Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond, OK.
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Jacob's Ladder Camps had Chamber of Commerce weather today. A total of 12 guys from 4 different churches partcipated: Henderson Hills Baptist Church, West Moore Community Church, First Presbyterian of Edmond, and Skyline Church of OKC. We also had two guys from Houston here today.
Trim was installed in the gym. 6 hours of mowing on the camp play-field and ropes course areas. Two full loads of tree limbs were pruned and hauled off. Two low ropes course elements got a face lift. All of the sheeting was installed on bunk cabins #5 and #6. The camp looks awesome!!! Also this weekend we had a Father-Son Camp Out from HHBC. Tomorrow First Presbyterian of Edmond has their Confirmation Class come out for a day on the ropes course.Bunk House # 7 became a reality today by a generous gift from Steve Hurst. We will start construction as soon as Bunk House #8 is funded. There are two cabins on a pad. Bunk #5 has been made possible by Cornerstone Surgery Centers, Foundations Health Care, Until All Have Heard Foundation, and MedDevelop. Bunk #6 has been made possible by a generous gift by the Derrick Prentice Family. Bunks #1-4 have been funded by Commercial Brick Corporation.
JL's goal is to have the funds for the remaining 7 bunkhouse cabins funded or pledged by the end of 2008. We are half way there! The purpose of Jacob's Ladder Camps is to help fund the mission of Willow Springs Boys Ranch. JL is also an employment opportunity for the WSBR boys where they can learn work ethic, responsibility, and character development.
Thank you to all you guys who extravagantly gave of your time and resources today on all of these projects! God is a work! And so are so many of you who invest in WSBR and Jacob's Ladder. Thank you for investing your lives in this mission. Words can not express my appreciation. Thank you for the legacy that you are building at Willow Springs Boys Ranch!
Hurricane Ike has wreaked havoc on our weekend plans. The forecast is calling for 100% chance of rain...up to 5-7 inches. Bad combination for installing a metal roof! We are going to reschedule for the following Saturday Sept 20th. That is a bye week for OU, though that will not matter to some of you.
Let me know if you are still available so that I can plan for projects and equally as important....food. Thank you for all your interest in this project and this mission. Will be in contact with you next week. Please call me with questions.
The work day on Sept. 13th is coming up. Thank you for all who have signed up to help. Still could use 4 guys who can help install metal roofing. Also could use 2 guys install J-trim in the gym. Here is a list of guys who have signed up:
Roofing:
David Corona
Friend of David
Jerome Loughridge
Chuck Dehart
Low Ropes Course Repair:
Joel Hall
Steve Hurst
If you feed them....they will come! JL is looking for 6-8 skilled volunteers to help install metal roofing on our two new bunk cabins. The felt will be on. The materials will be there waiting.
And BBQ will be involved. If you have a construction background or can haul materials, please contact me. Put September 13th on your calendar. We will start at 8:00am.
You can Tivo your football game and it will be waiting on you that evening. Contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for all of you who are investing in this project!
This has been an incredible two weeks. Life Church Internet Campus and OKC Campus just left yesterday. Jacob's Ladder has a full week this week. A group from Hollis and Altus, OK is here until Wednesday.
The week ends with Great White Energy coming for a day retreat and strategic planning meeting. SNU comes with two teams to go thru the Challenge Course. They will be providing leadership to camps across Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Arkansas at summer camps. Friday, JL hosts the Lincoln County Football Camp for a second year. Five guys from WSBR will also be attending.
Below are some pictures for the Life Church Mission. We had people from across the country make the time to come and serve. People from Texas, Illinois, California, Maine, Oklahoma and Wisconsin where here this past weekend. All these projects happened in 32 hours over two weekends! Incredible!!! Thank you to all of you for what you have accomplished!
The front entry was landscaped. Bunkbeds were made for bunkhouse #5. 40 acres were mowed. More trees were trimmed up. Bunkhouse #5 had the windows and doors installed. All the boxes and electrical wiring was installed. Most of the cornish and soffet work was done. Felt was put on the roof.
Materials are here ready and waiting. We are looking for volunteers who are skilled in the following projects areas to put a team together:
A crew to complete cornish and cedar siding.
A crew to build the deck on the front porch.
A crew to install the metal roof.
A sheetrock crew to hang sheetrock on celings.
A crew to hang paneling on the walls and do cedar trim work.
A crew to build the front deck
If you are interested in any of these projects, please contact me by posting a message or at my email address.
Continue reading "Life Church Mission Part II" »
Life Church SOKC and Edmond Campuses arrived Thursday night for the first of two Life Church Micro Mission. Next Thursday, Life Chuch OKC Campus and the Internet Campus arrive. People will be coming from Maine, Wisconsin and Texas.
This group of twenty has had a tremendous impact of Jacob's Ladder this weekend. It is awesome to watch this property and program develop.
Ty and the crew from Extreme Home Make-over have nothing on these guys! Here is a breakdown of some of the projects completed in just 14 working hours:
Bunkhouse Cabin #5 is completely framing-in
40 acres were finished mowed and two pond dams mowed
40-45 trees trimmed, weed-eated, and grass sprayed with Round Up
The entire ropes course mowed, weed-eated, and sprayed with Round Up
12 loads of limbs hauled to the burn pile
Pine trees planted and staked
24 containers of native grasses planted
Commercial Refrigerator recharged with coolant
7 wonderful meals were prepared and served by Mac and Steve
Celebrated a Birthday
The group of 20 worked like a group of 50! They had a tremendous servant's heart. The devotions, prayer times, worship and times around the camp-fire eating roasted peanuts were awesome. It was obvious that these men and women are passionate followers of Christ. Thank you for coming and spending your Memorial Weekend at Willow Springs Boys Ranch and Jacob's Ladder Camps. Thanks also for help build a place to serve others.
Sunday morning there will be some worship time before they head back to OKC. At 1p, Cross Walk Camp comes to climb on the ropes course for the afternoon. At 4p, Quail Springs Baptist Church from OKC come out for a Church picnic and camp out with about 200 members. Looks like the we may have a camp on our hands if we aren't careful!
Below are a few pictures of from the mission.
Continue reading "Life Church Mission" »
LIFE CHURCH is hosting two mission trips to Jacob's Ladder Camps on May 22-25 and May 29-June1. Projects will include framing bunks house #5. Volunteers are coming from Maine, Wisconsin, Texas, along with LIFE CHURCH campuses of SOKC, OKC Main Campus, Edmond Campus, and the Internet Campus.
JL is excited to have 2 of 10 additional cabins funded. Jacob's Ladder would like to say thank you to the following who are currently involved in funding this project: Renaissance MRI, Cornerstone Surgical Centers, MedDevelop, Until All Has Heard Foundation, and Derek Prentice. JL Camps would also like to thank Commercial Brick Corporation, Northwest Building Supply, Gideon Steel Panel, Hope Lumber, and all the volunteers who are coming from across Oklahoma and all across the country.
JL Camps is excited about the addition of these 10 additional cabins. When this next phase is complete, JL will be able to host groups for up to 290 people.
Not only will JL expand its camp capacity, it will also generate much needed revenues to help sustain the mission of Willow Springs Boys Ranch. Thank you to all of you who investing time, materials, and resources to make these next two bunkhouse cabins possible.
The Society of Petroleum Engineers of OKC came out to Jacob's Ladder for the second year for a work day and ate dinner with Willow Springs Boys Ranch.
SPE spent the afternoon help WSBR & JL continue cleaning up from the winter icestorm as we prepare for summer camps. SPE provided the man power. JL provided the Advil! Did I tell you guys that I had Advil in the truck?
Thank you guys for all your hard work!
The past two weekends, Jacob's Ladder has hosted over 200 men in two separate retreats.
Henderson HIlls Baptist Church held their Men's Retreat at JL for the second year. The theme was BRAVE HEART. Kilts were optional!
Neil Jeffrey was the featured speaker the weekend of April 25-26. Neal , a former All-American Quarterback from Baylor University and NFL Quarterback for the San Diego Chargers addressed the fatal flaws in a man's life, fighting to know Christ, and taking a knee and answering the bell. It was an amazing weekend. Got an email with an amazing story of a 17 year old young man from another boys ranch. He came with his mentor to the retreat. As he left the retreat on Saturday, he committed his life to Jesus Christ.
This past weekend Life Church SOKC brought 50 Men on their Warrior Weekend. Life Church has a great clip on You Tube that summed up their weekend.
At the end of their retreat, 50 guys invested an hour at Jacob's Ladder and Willow Springs Boys Ranch. Their passion and enthusiasm was contagious!
I am encouraged to see men stepping up their committment to their wives, their family, and their faith, and their communities. Thanks to all of you who spent your weekend at Jacob's Ladder, and invested in Willow Springs Boys Ranch.
Glory Seals from Western Hills Church returned to Jacob's Ladder for a retreat and service project. The guys built fence around the Johnson cabin, cleaned up trees from the ice storm, and various other construction projects.
Every year that the Glory Seals come out to Jacob's Ladder, I am impressed with the character, discipline, knowledge of the scriptures and the passion that they show in their relationship with Jesus Christ.
Jacob's Ladder Camps is partnering with Lighthouse Ministries this summer to host Camp Pharos. This week of camp is a pilot program for both ministries. This camp will serve middle school children from across Oklahoma whose parents are incarcerated. We hope to add a week of high school camp in 2009.
I had mentioned a few months ago that we were seeking assistance in funding this camp. I am excited to announce that this week of camp is now fully funded with a generous grant that was received today from the Nix Foundation. This was one of many given by businesses and individuals. Thank you for your investment in this camp and these kids. There will be some exciting follow up done throughout the year by Lighthouse Ministries along with backpacks full of supplies and clothes given to each camper. The dates for camp is June 23-27. Please pray for the 100 campers, staff, and volunteers who will be participating in Camp Pharos. Thank you to all of you who are helping make this happen! The exciting thing about this camp is that it not only makes and impact on campers and their families. The camp generates funds to provide follow up services to these families along with helping to serve boys at Willow Springs Boys Ranch
JACOB'S LADDER CAMPS is excited to partner this summer with LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRIES as we host CAMP PHAROS. CAMP PHAROS is a camp for children whose parents are incarcerated. JL will host a week of middle school and a week of high school camp.
Cost for a week of camp is $250. The goal is to serve 100 children this first summer. JL and CAMP PHAROS is seeking individual and corporate sponsorships. A Corporate Sponsorship is $5000. This sponsorship will scholaship one bunk house of 20 students for the 4 day camp
This past week JL received it's first $5000 gift to cover a bunkhouse. Please contact me or post a comment it you would like to participate or your company or foundation would like to participate in a matching grant. Not only will you be sending a child to camp, but like every other camp at JACOB'S LADDER, proceeds go to further the mission of WILLOW SPRINGS BOYS RANCH.
I have lost my link button,..don't ask me how, but you can copy the link below and past in your browser for some info on CAMP PHAROS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvRPqbmvZgI
OU Lamba Chi's endured two 100 degree days of heat during a two-day work project on Wednesday and Thursday. These guys painted pipe fence, mowed, weedeated, built stairs, lined a wooded trail with rail-road ties, did heavy-duty cleaning on our gym, bunkcabins, and bathrooms to get ready for our fall groups at JL Camps.
OU Campus Crusade arrived tonight being the first to benefit from all these guys hard work. The place looks great after 3 days of work projects. Thank you guys for the difference that you have made!
Burkey helps campers make their way thru the SPIDER-WEB
This weekend JL Camps hosted the 1st Annual Heart of a Champion Football Camp. Coach Derek Dennis of Wellston along with 15 coaches and volunteers have led 60 middle schoolers from Chandler, Meeker, and Wellston through a 3 day camp. 13 young men made decisions to become Christ followers.
Coach Dennis Challenging Campers
Five boys from the ranch have also attended the three day camp. Today Chris Brown and Lamont Robinson from the University of Oklahoma Football came and spoke, signed autographs and took pictures.
Media Day
Chris Brown and Lamont Robinson with campers
The Lincoln County "Heart of a Champion" Football Camp is a Christian camp designed to teach boys the fundaments of football and the characterists of "True Masculinity," through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Each camper received one-on-one attention from successful high school coaches, as well as players, from some of Oklahoma's major college football programs. Selected individual with "Champion Character" and years of experience in coaching, education, business, and ministry oversaw the practices, drills, and recreation time allowing campers to make new friends and experience the power of Christian Leadership. The purpose of this camp is to allow boys to express themselves through the game of football and empower Lincoln County with courageous men that have the "Heart of a Champion!"
Drills
Drills
And More Drills
Position and Skill Development
CHAMPION CHARACTER
C ourageous Leadership
H aving a Cause Beyond Oneself
A ccepting Responsibility
M aking Authentic Relationships
Em P athy for Others
I nclusion
O utlasting Tough Situations
Defe N ding the Defenseless
Heart of a Champion
Eastside Elementary brought over 200 students to reinact the Oklahoma Land Run. Students got to experience life and some daily activities during this time period. The playfield was painted with the state borders. The students staked their claim before having lunch with their parents.
A Shawnee businessman flew over and took an aerial photo of the students. It was an incredible day. Here are a few pictures of the event.
SACK-RACES
RESTIN'
HORSE RACES
ROPIN'
CHUCKWAGON
COW MILKING
FISHIN'
LANDRUN
PACK A LUNCH!
LUNCH
HELICOPTER
We had a great spring break week at Jacob's Ladder. Faith Baptist Church of Harrah, Oklahoma spend three days on a service project at the camp. They did some final cleaning and washed windows in the Nichols Graduate House on the boys ranch. Graduates will be moving in the last of May. They also built timber walks up to the bunkhouses at camp and planted pine trees. The youth pastor of this group came eight years ago as a middle school student. His church served on our first ever mission trip in 1998. Now he is bring back another generation of students to invest in others. How cool is that!
Crosspointe Church of Norman brought over 40 kids to a children's spring retreat this weekend. They had a blast! Four children began a relationship with Christ this weekend! That news was the highlight of the weekend!
JL now has groups booked on the weekends now into October. We are also hosting 200 men in May from Henderson Hills. This will be our largest group to date. The HHBC group will be 100 over capacity for our bunks. Some of these guys will be lodging in the "Great Outdoors".
It is exciting to see the growing impact that WSBR and JL is having in our state. Calls for groups this size is becoming the norm. With the addition of our multipurpose gym, the camp now has the capacity to host groups up to 300 people as bunk space is available. JL camps has begun a capital campaign for 10 additional bunk-cabins. JL has already gotten some great commitments in the past few weeks. Life Church is coming in June, July, and August on a four-day regional missions trip. They will be bringing 80-100 each trip. After the concrete is poured and rough-in plumbing is complete, Life Church has skilled workers would like to frame, roof, sheetrock our bunks. We also have a commitment for doors, cabinet doors, trim, and bathroom counter-tops. This is a tremendous opportunity and a God-Sized project with the time line that we are looking at. The cost for each cabin is projected to be 40k per cabin. Please let me know if you know of someone who would like to participate with us this project. This will give JL Camps a 280 bed capacity. The revenues generated from camp will have a tremendous impact as we serve boys in the WSBR program. This is an exciting time and an exciting opportunity. Thank you for all of you who make WSBR and JL Camps happen!
Genesis 28:16-17
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.
He was afraid and said, How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heavan.
This passage is where Jacob's Ladder Camps derives it's name. We hope that each group that comes out to camp has the same revelation as Jacob...that the Lord is in this place. We hope that none leave unaware.
Continue reading "Unaware" »
Oklahoma Sooners Hockey spent time on the ropes course at Jacob's Ladder for the second year as they prepare for the 2006-2007 season.
The Sooners open up with Nebraska on Sept 22nd and 23rd Check out their schedule for start times. Go out and support Sooner Hockey.
The University of Oklahoma Women's Basketball spent the Labor Day at Jacob's Ladder as they prepared for the 2006-2007 season. The Sooners are headed for another great season. The Sooners are ranked #3 in the Athlon Pre-Season Poll.
Continue reading "Sooner Women's Basketball" »
First Year Head Coach Ed Allen, Assistant Greg Dewey, and the 2006 Tulsa Hurricane Volleyball Team prepared for the 2006 season at Jacob's Ladder on August 16-17.
The Hurricane's focus was team-building and unity as they prepare for the 2006 season. Pre-season polls pick the Hurricane to finish fourth by the Conference USA Coaches Poll. The voting coaches obviously didn't spend the last two days at Jacob's Ladder watching the Lady Hurricane! I was impressed with the character of the coaching staff and the players.
If the team shows the level of commitment, heart and ability on the court that they showed on the ropes and challenge course, it is going to be a great year.
It will be exciting to follow them this season. Click the link to get their 2006 schedule
David picked up five smooth stones before he met Goliath. He used one of those stones to slay the giant. Those five smooth stones represent potential.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b31OGRHt0DY&feature=related
Continue reading "Five Smooth Stones" »
Both OU Baseball and ORU Baseball teams have won their respective regions and will advance to the Super Regional this weekend. Each team is seven games away from winning the College World Series in Omaha.
I was able to attend OU's 7-6 victory tonight over Wichita State. What an exciting night! WSBR and JL Camps has a special relationship with these two teams. Coach Rob Walton and Willow Springs Boys Ranch Board Member, Coach Sunny Golloway bring their teams out annually to Willow Springs Boys Ranch and Jacob's Ladder Camps and Retreats.
Continue reading "NCAA Super Regionals" »
Jacob's Ladder Camps and Retreats would like to thank the Rob Liddell Foundation and the many who has invested time and materials to this project.
It is amazing to see how God continues to work in super-sized ways. It is another "George Muller story."
This new multipurpose gym holds 6 glass goals for full court and half court basketball, a 25 foot climbing wall, two bouldering walls, an amazing sound system and a kitchen which can feed 300 people. Soon this gym with be full of the sounds and smells of summer camp!
To quote Jacob in Genesis 28, "Surely the Lord is in this place" !
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