Year Round Staff

Ryan Bocchino

Director

Ryan joined Ranch Camp in 2016 from Putnam County, New York. He spent a majority of his youth in camping, attending and working at his childhood camp for a total of 23 years.

I started my work full-time in 2009 at Green Chimneys Clearpool Campus, in their outdoor education department; providing environmental education to at-risk, underprivileged populations from NYC. I served as the assistant director of their new, second summer camp, living my passion for creating unforgettable experiences for children from all walks of life.

For three years I’ve been blessed to be a part of the of the Ranch Camp family; it has had a profound impact on who I am as a person. Once disconnected from my Jewish identity, it has been fully reformed by the community at JCC Ranch Camp. It’s hard to put into words the magic and love the community at camp has for each other, and how everyone inspires everyone around them to be the best versions of themselves.

In the words of Seuss, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot” is the muse for my passion to create lasting and memorable experiences for campers, and to encourage others to never rest on their laurels and do the same.

 

 

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Katelyn Skeen

Assistant Director

Katelyn first joined the Ranch Community as a camper in 2007. She’s spent almost every summer at camp since then.

The summer after 4th grade my mom sent me to Ranch Camp for the first time. Having never been away from home for more than a night, I was terrified. But the moment I stepped out of the car onto the dirt parking lot at the camp office, I instantly knew that this was a place where I would become the best version of myself. Many years later, I get that same feeling every time I arrive at camp; only now I’m part of the team creating an inclusive environment enabling campers to create, learn, and thrive. I understand, firsthand, the importance of providing children with opportunities to reach their fullest potential, and the consequences if such opportunities are lost.

One of my camp mentors once told me that this is the most important work in the world and I wholehearted believe that it is.

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Matthew Cline

Facilities Director

Matthew joined the Ranch Camp Team full time in May 2021, after spending a year at the Main JCC Denver location. He absolutely loved working at The JCC in Denver but when the opportunity to relocate his family to the beautiful Ranch Camp in Elbert CO presented itself to him, he couldn’t pass it by.
He spends his time making art, running around with his dogs, or spending time with his family who live in Thornton, Colorado. He considers himself very lucky to call Ranch Camp home.
I was born in Denver and I have spent most of my life in Colorado. In high school I was really fortunate to find a job at the Commerce City Greyhound racing track, because that is where I first discovered how much I love working outside, learning how to fix things and how happy I was interact with animals. The dog track was my introduction to the Odd jobs/Handyman industry that I would make my life long chosen career. From the dog track I would go on to find work at a assortment of very interesting facilities. Amusement park/Zoo MN, Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue CA, Camping resort in the Redwoods CA, Farming/CSA delivery service San Francisco/ Northern CA, Homesteading Event Venue with goats and horses CO, Apartment maintenance for a Non-profit company that specialized in supporting housing for lower income families/military veteran/Disabled individuals CO, Renovating apartment buildings built from1880’s-1930’s CO. In the Spring of 2020 I realized that I was unsatisfied with my current situation and I wanted to find a new job, one in which I would feel a better sense that I was using my skills to help a community. When I applied for the position at JCC Denver it opened up a whole new world for me. I had driven by the JCC property in the past but I never knew there was such amazingly dynamic institution hiding in plan sight. I started working at the JCC Denver at the beginning of March, roughly one week before everything was locked down due to the pandemic. Being classified as a essential worker during the pandemic, I was able to come to the JCC building everyday and work but for the most part I felt like I was working at a ghost town. What an incredible experience when restrictions loosened and I got to see how much the JCC meant to everyone. It wasn’t just a place to play tennis or go for a workout, it was a building that fostered culture and community. I was blown away by the enthusiasm demonstrated by our Lane Lap swimmers showing up at 6:00 a.m. in freezing weather, the patience all of the ELS parents had when dealing with temperature screening and everyone’s excitement to help breath life back into the Denver J.
My first summer at Ranch Camp was filled with ghost stories, pool parties, and seeing tie dye stained hands holding plates in the serving line at the Chad. I hope it’s the first of many summers I get to spend as part of the Team at the JCC RANCH Camp!
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Jenny Cline

On-Site Operations Manager

When Jenny’s husband, Matt, was recruited to Ranch Camp after spending a year at the main JCC office, Jenny piggy-backed to Ranch Camp on the coattails of his highly desirable skills. In April 2021, she stood on the snowy rock behind the office at Ranch Camp and breathed in the glorious clean air of the Black Forest and prayed that Ryan wanted them there… because she was in love. 
I was born in Denver and raised in the glorious land of 1000 lakes (Minnesota). I started my first massage therapy business in 2010 in Minneapolis, MN, just as the recession was really hitting folks hard. Everyone told me it was a terrible time to start a small business but life catapulted me forward and I’ve never regretted it. For the most part I’ve played support staff to the people caring for the children of my world, a role in which I have always felt very comfortable. I’ve spent many hours dedicating my time to the literacy of young people, with the firm belief that if you can read, you can learn absolutely anything.
I spent 2 years as a volunteer at the Family Tree’s Karliss Family Center, supervising visits for non- custodial parents. I’ve had a million different jobs from ostrich wrangler to kitten nursemaid. Landscaper, farmer, polo groom, bus girl, coffee slinger, EMT, business owner. I wander and adventure and try my hand at as many things as I can. All the while maintaining my massage practice wherever I go.
My feet have been planted here, in Elbert, since May 2021. The ground here feels steady, nurturing and full of amazing possibilities. I am so looking forward to my future terms at Ranch Camp and the adventures, struggles, new faces and experiences it will bring.
I am support staff. So incredibly proud to support the rock stars here at Ranch Camp.
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Summer Team

Coming soon!

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