She’s a Hand Ranch Camp
A hands-on camp for women of every experience level, from brand new to seasoned, to learn all the things you’re expected to know, but were never taught!
What is She’s a Hand Ranch Camp?
She’s a Hand Ranch Camp exists to offer women a welcoming, hands-on cattle ranching experience, where confidence is built through real work, thoughtful instruction, and learning side by side in a supportive environment.
She’s a Hand Ranch Camp
is for women who:
- Want to feel more capable and confident working cattle
- Are curious about ranching but don’t know where to start
- Learn best by doing, trying, and getting a little dusty
- Crave a community of like-minded women who understand the lifestyle
- Want to push past intimidation and discover what they’re truly capable of
If you’ve ever felt like ranching was calling you but you weren’t sure how to answer, this is your place.
Applications open to the public Sept 20
Join the waitlist for early access!
Standard Ranch Camp Sessions
April 14–19, 2027
April 28–May 3, 2027
May 12–17, 2027
May 19–24, 2027
Calving Edition: March 25–30, 2027
Horseback Edition: June 24–27, 2027
Alumni Camp: July 14–18, 2027
Calving Edition: The full Ranch Camp experience during calving season, with added hands-on opportunities to learn about calving, assist with births when needed, and experience night checks and the unpredictability of calving firsthand.
Horseback Edition: Designed for women who are already comfortable in the saddle and want to learn how to put those riding skills to work on the ranch, including handling cattle and completing ranch work from horseback.
Alumni Camp: An exclusive camp experience for women who have previously attended Ranch Camp, bringing alumni back together for more hands-on learning, ranch work, and time with the Ranch Camp community.
“Camp was what I needed to take the dream of ranching and break it down into steps that I could take everyday that would become the real business we have now. I castrated all our bull calves by myself and have tagged and given our herd all their vaccines. I don't think they had been handled in at least 5 years. It was not as calm and nice as camp but it got done.”
— Sarah
She’s A Hand Ranch Camp
Daily Agenda
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Welcome to Ranch Camp! Get settled, meet the women you’ll be spending the week with, and kick things off over dinner.
We’ll spend the evening getting to know each other, breaking the ice, and talking about what everyone hopes to get out of the week.
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We’ll start with goals, cattle markets, and the foundation you need before stepping into the pens.
Then it’s time to get hands-on with BQA, ear tagging, vaccinations, branding, and a look behind the scenes at the background lot.
This is where Ranch Camp starts feeling very real, very quickly.
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Spend the morning learning alongside Dr. Kelli Kolar, digging into cattle health, antibiotics, vaccinations, and the things you need to know when something doesn’t look right.
Then you’ll put that knowledge to work with hands-on practice like drawing blood from the jugular and tail head, preg-checking, and more.
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We’ll pick up wherever Day 3 leaves off and keep building on the skills you’ve been learning.
Expect more time working cattle, more preg-checking and sorting, and a processing demo to get everyone ready for the biggest cattle-working day of camp.
Then we’ll wind down with something fun together that evening.
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This is the day the group takes what you’ve been practicing all week and puts it to work.
Together, you’ll process 150+ head of cattle, rotating through the alleyway, Bud Box, chute, tagging, branding, and other jobs along the way.
We’ll also make time for working dogs and roping.
It’s a big day, and usually one of the most memorable.
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Before everyone heads home, we’ll leave room for anything we haven’t gotten to yet, skills the group wants another shot at, or whatever ranch life gives us that morning.
Then we’ll grab some final photos, spend a little more time together, and wrap up the week.
No two Ranch Camps look exactly the same. We have a plan, but cattle, weather, and the women in the group help shape the week. If there’s a skill everyone wants more time with or something unexpected happens on the ranch, we’ll adjust. That’s part of the experience.
Skills Learned at
Ranch Camp
She’s a Hand Ranch Camp is a non-judgemental space for women to come learn ranch skills such as:
Cattle Handling | Cattle Health | Operating Basic Equipment | Cattle Processing
And More!
Details about each skill listed below!
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Cattle Handling
Sorting Cattle in a Pen
Pushing Down Alley
Handling Gates
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Cattle Health
Diagnose and Retreat Pink Eye
Foot Rot
Observe Sickness
IV Meds
Draw Blood
Lance Infections
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Operating Basic Equipment
Trailer Backing Up
Bud Box Operation
Skid Steer Operation
Chute Operation
Scale Operation
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Cattle Processing
Vaccine Administration
Ear Tagging
Implanting
Preg Checking
Castrating Bulls
Veining Cattle
Aging Cattle
Branding Cattle
Semen Testing
Temping Cattle
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And More!
Leadership and Personal Development Training
Outing to Nearby Town
Lodging and Meals Included
“Having never been, and still currently not working in the beef industry, I wasn’t sure if Ranch Camp was something I should participate in. While raising beef is something I would love to do one day, it isn’t what I am doing now, which brought up the question, is ranch camp something I should invest in? The answer was yes, and I am so glad I did!”
— Kiara
Pricing Information
$4500
Standard Ranch Camp, Calving Camp & Horseback Camp
Your Ranch Camp investment includes lodging, meals, instruction, hands-on learning, and transportation to and from the Bozeman or Helena airport once you arrive in Montana.
Choose the payment option that works best for you:
Payment plan: Four payments of $1,125
Pay in full: $4,250 and save $250
Holding Your Spot
If you’re accepted to Ranch Camp, your first payment is due within 48 hours of your acceptance email being sent.
That means either your first $1,125 payment or your $4,250 pay-in-full payment must be received within that 48-hour window to officially secure your spot.
Ranch Camp sessions are limited and typically in high demand, so unfortunately, we can’t hold an unpaid spot indefinitely. If payment isn’t received within 48 hours, you’ll be moved back to the waitlist and the spot will be offered to another applicant.
$3500
Alumni Camp
Exclusively for past Ranch Camp attendees, Alumni Camp brings women back together for continued learning, connection, and experiences beyond the standard Ranch Camp curriculum.
Payment plan: Four payments of $875
Pay in full: $3,250 and save $250
Still on the Fence About Ranch Camp?
Check Out these Episodes to Learn More
FAQs
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We use an application because She’s a Hand is a small, hands-on, high-touch experience, and keeping groups intentionally limited ensures every woman gets real time, real instruction, and real cattle work. Women travel from all over the country and world to attend, and the application helps us build a group that’s ready for the full ranch experience.
It also allows us to make sure expectations are aligned and that each session includes a mix of backgrounds and experience levels, which creates a richer, more effective learning atmosphere.
Most importantly, it helps us reserve spots for women who are truly committed, because space is limited and demand is high.
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Most Ranch Camp sessions are held in Toston, Montana, including Standard Ranch Camp, Calving Camp, and Horseback Camp.
Alumni Camp is held in Kalispell, Montana.
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The price includes everything once you get to Montana! That means it includes transportation from the airport and for the duration of the camp, lodging, all meals, activities, the cattle we work, the use of the ranch and our instructors' time. The only cost you have outside of camp is your travel to the airport and any snacks or drinks you choose to buy outside of what is provided!
For She’s a Hand Ranch Camp - Horseback Edition you do have to have basic horsemanship and cattle working experience.
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Nope, we will help you gain the skills of an experienced hand before you leave. This camp is for any women who wants to gain confidence to jump in when working cattle at home. It can be hard to find the time to perfect these skills in the normal hustle and bustle of life which is why we are taking time to go over these skills in a stress free environment.
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Of course! We will help you prepare for the day when you do have cattle to work. We do feel like it will be easier to retain the skills if you do use them, but you can get a head start and gain the confidence before you begin working your own herd.
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You must be 18 years or older to attend She’s a Hand Ranch Camp.
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We’ll only be doing ground work during standard ranch camp sessions. We believe it’s important to master the basics before adding in an additional layer of difficulty.
We do have a Horseback session where we’ll be expanding on those skills from horseback. This session isn’t for beginner riders, but for women who are already comfortable on horseback and want to learn how to incorporate riding into daily ranch work.
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Yes! We are excited to give you the opportunity to practice the skills we talk about directly after going over them.
Above we have included a comprehensive list of the things we are planning on going over but if there is something that you want to go over that you don’t see, don’t hesitate to ask!
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Most women come by themselves, and friendships form fast.
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All Ranch Camp payments are nonrefundable. If something comes up and you’re no longer able to attend your scheduled session, please contact us as soon as possible.
While we can’t guarantee a transfer, we may be able to move you to another available session or apply your payments toward a future Ranch Camp season.
We know plans can change, and we’ll do our best to work with you when we can.
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We do offer a 4-payment payment plan. The full balance must be prior to the start of your camp session.
Are you a woman involved in agriculture who wants to feel more confident on the ranch and handling cattle?
Then She’s a Hand Ranch Camp is for you!
Make Ranch Camp Your Own
Looking for a more personalized experience? Private Ranch Camp gives you the opportunity to build a week around your goals, interests, and pace. Spend time working alongside our team on the ranch, experience the Montana cattle industry firsthand, earn your BQA certification, explore beyond the ranch, and make time to simply ride, learn, and take it all in.
Your private camp is designed from start to finish around what you want to experience. Interested in creating your own Private Ranch Camp? Let us know what you're looking for, and we'll start building your week.
Love the idea of Ranch Camp, but can’t make it work right now?
If Ranch Camp isn’t the right fit for you at this point, but owning cattle is still something you’re working toward, First Herd Foundations may be worth keeping on your radar.
It’s a self-paced course we’re building to help you make smart decisions before you buy your first cattle and build a plan for getting started.
Huge THANK YOU to our
2026 Ranch Camp sponsors.
Having people and businesses willing to invest in women who ranch means the world to us. Your support makes it possible for women to show up, do the work, and leave more confident and capable than when they arrived.