Cowboy Boots: One Camper’s Experience at Teton Valley Ranch Camp

Pax Lindenmayer has attended Teton Valley Ranch Camp for the past three summers and is a Wrangler Candidate for 2026. In a recent essay assignment, he was asked the following question: “Show and Tell” is an activity where students describe the importance of an object; what object or picture would you showcase to your peers? Pax chose his cowboy boots— an item worn only at TVRC. His boots have been shaped by the experiences, friendships, and challenges he has encountered as a camper. We’re honored to share his essay, in his own words, reflecting on what camp means to him.

By Pax Lindenmayer

These are my cowboy boots. I only wear them at Teton Valley Ranch Camp, a summer camp in Wyoming. This camp has helped shape my identity and build my sense of self-confidence, perseverance, and kindness.

Thanks to TVRC, I am confident and hard to beat down. Traveling over 1,000 miles away from home as an eleven-year-old was initially challenging. I was in an unfamiliar place where I didn’t know anyone. Nevertheless, I felt at home on day one because the community was so welcoming and accepting. I felt like I had people on my side in everything I did, like encouraging me to ride a horse for the first time or to backpack in the Tetons. At the end of my second summer, I completed a ceremony called the Rough Ride. I am sworn to secrecy, but it was a mentally and physically taxing ride on a horse through rough terrain. Now that I have completed the Rough Ride, I feel like I can do anything. Wherever I go in life, I know that I can confidently be who I am and challenge myself to step out of my comfort zone.

TVRC has also taught me the value of perseverance. We attempt 4-day backpacks, hiking at least 8 miles a day, and gaining up to 3,000 feet of elevation with heavy packs. Of course, this is quite challenging, especially for a scrawny kid who lives near the ocean. I’ve grown to see the backcountry as my escape from the real world, because the wilderness feels so free. When I climb to the peak of a mountain or descend into a canyon, there is always a beautiful reward. These backpacking trips have taught me that gratification comes from doing hard things.

TVRC showed me that kindness is the foundation of good relationships. You do almost everything with your cabin group, and if you are kind, you can become like brothers. TVRC has taught me to respect people for who they are and to treat others as I want to be treated. You spend 24 hours a day with people from different countries, struggles, and beliefs - kindness is the gateway to understanding them. Without kindness, you can’t connect. All of the most important peacemakers in the world talk about kindness: Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Mother Teresa. TVRC has helped me realize that without kindness, humanity would falter, so I try to spread kindness in every way I can.

My cowboy boots are dirty and tough, but they bear some of the best memories of my life and say so much about who I am and what I value. Even though I won’t be wearing my boots (those are for Wyoming only!), I hope I can bring these values with me in my future and show what a good student, peer, and friend I can be.

To hear from Pax, along with many of our other campers, visit Our Program page and the Adventure Group tiles to watch our camper testimonial videos.