Profile: Tim Singewald of DC Bar Guest Ranch
Tim Singewald didn’t start out life on a guest ranch, but it was his lifetime goal to own and run one. And he made it. Today, he’s owns and runs BRIDGER WILDERNESS OUTFITTERS/DC BAR GUEST RANCH in Pinedale, Wyoming. But his path to ranching was circuitous, involving pre-med studies, working in the Arctic, and finally working in the city, as a vice president in banking. 
“It was my goal to retire at age 30 and move to the woods,” says Singewald. “I was making good money in the city, with the country club membership and all, but I gave it up to live and work on a ranch.” That was 27 years ago, and he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. But it hasn’t always been easy.
“The first year in the guest ranch business,” he remembers with a laugh,”I took no salary–the ranch needed every penny.”
“We grew up on Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and a variety of TV westerns where the cowboy way of life was always in front of people,” notes Singewald. “We learned from them how to treat your friends, how to tell the truth.” And to want to visit a dude ranch.
But today’s young people don’t really “get” what a guest ranch is, he feels. “I have found that the majority of the population have no idea what a Guest Ranch or a Dude Ranch is. A better way to describe it [a guest ranch] to today’s younger travelers might be to call it an adventure ranch or learning ranch.”
“I’d call it American Eco-adventures,” Singewald contends. “And to compete in today’s market, we have developed a lot of programs that teach a whole variety of outdoor skills—how to find edible plants, pack a backpack, catch a fish, build a survival shelter.
Indeed, visitors can find plenty of experiental learning on a ranch, and so many travelers are looking for that. “Ranchers might learn to explain to the public: you don’t just have a great time at a ranch; you learn something while you’re doing it: Have fun, learn new skills, and spend your vacation dollars at home,” he suggests.
Still, Singewald is optimistic; “as an elk hunter, I’m the definition of an optimist,” he explains. “…We chase one of the most elusive, majestic creatures on the continent, hoping that through some miracle it will all come together. My goodness – it’s amazing how it all works out sometimes. We’ve learned to keep working and work hard and things work out.”
Details: BRIDGER WILDERNESS OUTFITTERS/DC BAR GUEST RANCH has Two trophy class fishing rivers in the valley, scenery, adventure, horses, fishing, hunting, family guest ranch activities, beaver pond full of trout and overnight pack trips. For more information, click on BRIDGER WILDERNESS OUTFITTERS/DC BAR GUEST RANCH, or click/go to www.bwo.com.
Good afternoon,We are looking for a Dude Ranch in Montana or Wyoming who would be willing to donate an experience to a wonderful organization called Wild About the Child. We are a group of leaders in our community who serve on a board to help at-risk children. We would like to have a Dude Ranch experience on our auction this year in October. We host each year a barn dance and auction for 500 people to come dance, eat, spend money and enjoy the opportunity to give back to local children. We have been asked to see if we could get a Dude Ranch for a family to bid on this year. As a committee we would be willing to buy a few days if a dude ranch would be willing to donate a week.
There is nothing like Wildwood Hills Ranch anywhere in the Midwest. Our 400-acre facility is set in the scenic hills of Madison County, just south of Des Moines. Our organization was founded in 2001 with the mission of providing life-changing opportunities and camp programs for at-risk and disadvantaged children. Kids from across the state are offered hope and love while being challenged to grow into leaders and people of integrity who contribute to the communities they live in.
During our first three years, Wildwood Hills Ranch has served more than 800 at-risk children, ages 8 – 16, from all over Iowa. We collaborate with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs and Hope Ministries, as well as the Department of Human Services and local schools, to identify and assist the hundreds of at-risk children we serve. Financial supporters include individuals, businesses, and foundations such as Variety
During week-long summer camps, individual impact is accomplished through character mentoring by mature and carefully selected counselor role models, activities that are woven together with purpose, daily reflection times and evening campfire experiences. Programs include leadership, character building and team building components. Devoted and trained camp counselors help teach these children the meaning of honesty, integrity and respect – the core values that many of these youngsters are unaware of simply because of the situations life has dealt them. All spiritual aspects of Wildwood Hills’ summer camps are non-threatening, respectful and based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
My husband and I grew up in Montana and my husband suggested I contact you as he has participated in your Fly-fishing guide tours before and thought you may be able to point me in the right direction or know of someone who would be interested in this journey. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Kirsten Adams
563-505-7159