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About Foundations

Foundations calls Mountain Valley Ranch its home.  Set against the back­drop of the majestic Livingstone Mountain Range, Mountain Valley Ranch is stunning!  Mountain Valley Ranch is a 30-minute drive from the closest town (Pincher Creek, AB).

Students will live together in five classic wood-heated cabins.  The community will work together on meals, whether it’s around a campfire, in an outdoor kitchen, or in the main lodge.

The creation classroom is an intentional part of Foundations.  Being in the midst of God’s creation provides the chance to leave distractions and discover new freedom.  Living simply helps us realize that what we thought were needs, are really just wants.  Imagine your backyard being a mountain range, having class in the middle of a meadow, or discussing things that matter with some of your closest friends under the stars at night.

Foundations has a rotation of quality instructors from around the world who come and teach week-long courses.  Placing high value on interaction, conversa­tion, and narrative as learning tools, instructors teach and discuss the Bible around the table or campfire.  But they don’t do all the talking – everyone’s stories, insights, and questions are needed for a complete learning experience.

The books for each course are novels rather than informational texts.  As Mike Yaconelli writes, "Stories are the most effective way to combine complicated truth into simple, understandable bites of reality we can grasp.  It’s the difference between hear­ing a lecture on gravity and watching someone jump off a desk. Stories find a way to say what we can’t say, to explain what we can’t explain, and to reveal what we didn’t know was there".

Imagine a place where learning has more to do with living than with lectures, formation than with information, character than with concepts.  Imagine a place where you love to learn.

It only makes sense that if we want to grow and change, we are going to have to step out into the unknown.  Foundations uses intentionally designed opportunities for you to step out of your ‘comfort zone’ and discover a greater sense of adventure.

Jesus’ intention for his disciples is abundant life.  Some of the experiences that lead students toward life to the full include outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, and horse-back riding.  There are also mission experiences such as inner-city ministry in down-town Calgary and a multi-week ministry tour in western Canada.

There are many challenges that await.  Imagine entering these new challenges and coming out on the other side a more committed, compassionate, and courageous person.

With a maximum of only 12 spaces every year, a close sense of community is created.  This way no one gets lost in the cracks and everyone’s gifts can emerge and flourish.  Placing high value on interdependence rather than independence, Foundations is structured in a way that everyone needs be an active participant in the community.

Part of the experience will include 'work duties' that range from chopping wood to helping cook meals for the whole group. Students will be dependent on each other to make this community work.  Added to the mix is a committed and caring staff who love and respect their students deeply.

Imagine being part of a team where you play a vital role, having your gifts fanned into flame in a context of encouragement, or finding friendships that are real and durable.