06/19/2026
A dear friend came to visit the farm this week. She hadn't been here in several years, having moved out of state. Summer camp was in full swing, and before long she had jumped right in—helping where needed, visiting with campers, and soaking in the beauty of a busy week on the farm.
At one point she paused, looked around, and said something that has stayed with me:
"The faces of the people change, but the farm remains the same."
Thirty years.
This summer marks our 30th year of operating WildeWood Farm here in Forsyth County.
The children who took lessons here three decades ago are now adults. All have careers, families, and children of their own. Some of those children now come to camp, take lessons, and fall in love with horses just as their parents once did.
Of course, the farm itself has changed. We've actually moved twice over the past 30 years. The pastures are different. The barns are different. The fences are different. Many of the horses and animals have come and gone, each leaving their own mark on our story.
But the heart of the farm remains remarkably unchanged.
Over the years, the faces have certainly changed.
Thousands of students.
Countless volunteers.
Wonderful staff members.
Campers.
Parents.
Friends.
Some stayed for a season.
Some stayed for years.
Some moved away and later returned.
Yet the mission remains the same.
The horses still inspire us.
The animals bring curiosity.
Children still squeal with delight when they meet a baby animal.
Campers still come home dirty, tired, and happy.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, lessons about responsibility, kindness, hard work, faith, and life continue to unfold.
The farm has never really been about a particular piece of land.
It has always been about people.
About creating a place where children can grow, families can connect, and memories can be made.
The faces change.
The generations change.
The locations may even change.
But the heartbeat of the farm continues, steady and true, year after year.
And for that, I am deeply grateful. 💛
