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Down Home Ranch is a 410-acre ranch, residential community, and camp that empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful, purpose-driven lives.

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  • Camp

    At camp, we welcome those 13+ with cognitive disabilities to find friendship, fun, and freedom in our little slice of Texas. Swim in the pool, play basketball, hike trails, care for animals, or fish in the pond. It’s everything camp should be and more.

    Register Now Explore

  • Life

    Since 1989, Down Home Ranch has been more than a ranch. It’s a welcoming home where residents with cognitive disabilities live with purpose, find true belonging, and thrive in a supportive community designed just for them.

    Explore Interest Form

  • Haven

    The Ranch also welcomes field trips and retreats! Come out with your group to our little slice of Texas to slow down, connect, and experience the slow and joyful rhythm of Ranch life, whether you're visiting for an afternoon or staying overnight.

    Book Now Explore

  • Flora

    Rooted in purpose and grown with care, our nursery offers a wide and colorful selection of plants. Every purchase supports Down Home Ranch and helps us grow an even more inclusive community.

    Shop Now Explore

  • Craft

    Our handmade crafts and gifts reflect the heart of DHR. Shop in-store or online for meaningful items that bring a touch of Ranch charm to your home, all while supporting our mission.

    Shop Now Explore

Events

Mardi Gras Bingo

MARDI GRAS BINGO IS COMING!
Grab your beads and get ready to daub for a cause! Join Down Home Ranch for a night of big laughs, fast fun, and CASH prizes at our Mardi Gras–themed Bingo Night!
  • Tuesday, February 17
  •  5–9 PM at Millie’s on Main – Elgin, TX
  • What to expect:
    -High-energy bingo games with CASH prizes -Food trucks on site
    -The bar will be OPEN
    -DHR merch stand
    -Mardi Gras vibes all night long
  • Bingo cards: $25 (CASH ONLY!)

Date

Tue, Feb 17, 2026

Time

5:00 PM

Location

Millie's on Main

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Events

Flower Power Bingo

 FLOWER POWER BINGO IS BLOOMING!
Peace, love, and BINGO! Join Down Home Ranch for a far-out night of groovy fun, big laughs, and CASH prizes — plus a spring plant pop-up you won’t want to miss!
  •  Tuesday, April 14, 5–9 PM
     at Millie’s on Main – Elgin, TX
  •  What’s happening:
    - Spring plant pop-up (come early to snag the good stuff!)
    - Fast-paced bingo with CASH prizes
    - Food trucks on site
    - The bar will be OPEN
    - DHR merch stand
  •  Bingo cards: $25 (CASH ONLY!)
Break out your bell bottoms, flower crowns, and best retro vibes, and come out for a night of great company — all in support of the amazing work at Down Home Ranch.
 

Date

Tue, Apr 14, 2026

Time

5:00 PM

Location

Millie's on Main

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Events

TETRA Benefit Trail Ride

TETRA Down Home Ranch Benefit Ranch
April 17-19, 2026
20250 FM 619
Elgin, Texas
TETRA is hosting a benefit ride April 17-19, 2026, at Down Home Ranch, located in Elgin, east of Austin. This non-profit ranch is a working farm and ranch. The ranch helps improve the lives of individuals with disabilities, providing opportunities in a welcoming environment.
TETRA is looking forward to hosting this weekend ride to benefit this great ranch and help both TETRA and Down Home ranch with their shared missions of opening trails and supporting non-profits.
There are seven hookups with one pen at each site, $40/weekend. Contact Naomi Russell at 512-810-0267 for site reservations. There is open pasture for primitive parking and a secure area to setup electric or portable fencing for your horse.
Member $30, non-Member $40, Day rider-$20
Register online at tetratrails.com after you have your RV campsite reserved.
4:00PM Friday registration begins, bring Coggins and sign liability release. Riding in the arena with obstacles will be available. No riding unescorted.
6:00PM Friday Meet and Greet. Bring your favorite appetizers to share with others.
9:00-11:30 Saturday ride, guided
12:00PM BBQ vendors for lunch purchase.
4:00-5:00PM Ride guided
6:30 PM Saturday Pot-luck dinner bring your favorite dish. TETRA will provide the meat, plates and utensils.
9:00-11:30 Sunday ride-guided.
1:00PM Depart the ranch

Date

Sat, Apr 18, 2026

Location

Down Home Ranch

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Events

Chrome on the Range

Join us for Chrome on the Range: Fueled by Community, Driven by Purpose - a car show fundraiser benefiting Down Home Ranch.

Want to get involved? Email development@downhomeranch.org

Date

Sat, May 2, 2026

Time

9am-2pm

Location

Down Home Ranch
20250 FM 619
Elgin, Texas

RSVP Now Explore Events

Events

Backyard BBQ Bingo

Backyard BBQ Bingo is Coming in HOT!
Grab your friends and join us for a night of Backyard BBQ Bingo benefiting Down Home Ranch!
  •  Tuesday, June 9th, 5–9 PM
     at Millie’s on Main | Elgin, TX
  •  Bingo Cards: $25 (Cash Only!)
  • DHR will be selling fresh grilled burgers and hot dog plates
  • The bar will be open
  • DHR merch available
  • Sizzlin’ prizes & big laughs all night long!
Come eat, drink, play, and support an incredible cause. We can’t wait to see you there!

Date

Tue, Jun 9, 2026

Time

5:00 PM

Location

Millie's on Main

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Events

Clear the Shelter Bingo

 CLEAR THE SHELTER BINGO NIGHT!
Join Down Home Ranch for a special bingo night with a big heart! We’re partnering with Bastrop County Animal Services to raise awareness for Clear the Shelters Month — and they’ll be hosting an adoption pop-up during the event.
 Clear the Shelter Bingo
 5–9 PM
 Millie’s on Main – Elgin, TX
 What’s happening:
 Meet adoptable pets from Bastrop County Animal Services
 Fast-paced bingo with CASH prizes
 Food trucks on site
 The bar will be OPEN
 DHR merch stand
 Bingo cards: $25 (CASH ONLY!)
Come for the bingo, stay for the smiles, and help shine a spotlight on pets waiting for loving homes. You might even leave with a new best friend

Date

Tue, Aug 4, 2026

Time

5:00 PM

Location

Millie's on Main

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Events

DHR’s Annual Gala

Save the date for an unforgettable evening where western charm meets high-glam shine.
Saddle up for Rhinestone Cowboy, Down Home Ranch’s 2026 Annual Gala—an evening of celebration, community, and meaningful impact in support of the Ranchers we serve.
Dust off your boots, bring the sparkle, and join us for a night that’s equal parts heart and honky-tonk.
**More details coming soon. **

Date

Sat, Sep 26, 2026

Time

5:00 PM

Location

Bastrop Convention Center

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Events

Bingo & Boos

 BINGO & BOOS IS BACK!
Spooky season meets questionable poultry decisions at Bingo & Boos with Down Home Ranch! Join us for a night of fast bingo, CASH prizes, and the return of the fan-favorite… CHICKEN SCAT BINGO
  • Tuesday, October 13
  • 5–9 PM
  • Millie’s on Main – Elgin, TX
  • What’s in store: High-energy bingo with CASH prizes Chicken Scat Bingo (yes, that kind of scat)
     Food trucks on site
     The bar will be OPEN
     DHR merch stand
  • Bingo cards: $25 (CASH ONLY!)
Costumes encouraged, sense of humor required. Come for the boos, stay for the bingo, and brace yourself for a little farm-style chaos — all in support of Down Home Ranch

Date

Tue, Oct 13, 2026

Time

5:00 PM

Location

Millie's on Main

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Events

Texas Chainsaw Manicure

 Texas Chainsaw Manicure 
Firewise Volunteer Day at Down Home Ranch
Join us on Friday, October 16, 2026 for Texas Chainsaw Manicure, a hands-on volunteer workday that helps keep Down Home Ranch Firewise safe in accordance with Texas A&M’s Firewise Certification Program.
Volunteers will help clear brush, trim trees, and spruce up the property—important work that reduces wildfire risk and protects the Ranch, along with its residents and programs. The work is meaningful, active, and incredibly impactful.
  9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  BBQ lunch provided
  Sign up by Thursday, October 1 to receive an event t-shirt
Whether you’re wielding clippers or hauling brush, every helping hand makes a difference. Grab your gloves, gather your crew, and spend the day giving back while helping keep the Ranch safe and beautiful.

Date

Fri, Oct 16, 2026

Time

9:00 AM

Location

Down Home Ranch

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Events

Hot Cocoa Stroll

Hot Cocoa Stroll & Stocking Stuffer Sale at Down Home Ranch
Bundle up and kick off the holiday season at the Ranch! Enjoy a festive stroll with homemade hot cocoa at every stop, hands-on Christmas crafts, and plenty of holiday shopping. From unique stocking stuffers to our famous DHR poinsettias, it’s the perfect way to soak up some small-town Christmas cheer.
Sip & Stroll: Purchase a commemorative mug for $15 and enjoy Rancher-made hot cocoa at each cocoa station along the stroll. Holiday Fun for All Ages
• Christmas craft stations
• Stocking stuffer & plant sale
• Bake sale
• S’mores station
Come stroll, sip, shop, and celebrate the season with us at Down Home Ranch!

Date

Sat, Dec 12, 2026

Time

10:00 AM

Location

Down Home Ranch

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Events

Ugly Sweater Bingo

UGLY SWEATER BINGO IS BACK!
Break out your ugliest, loudest, most questionable holiday knit and join Down Home Ranch for Ugly Sweater Bingo — featuring our SECOND ANNUAL Ugly Sweater Contest and a super-fun gift exchange game!
  •  Tuesday, December 15
  • 5–9 PM
  • Millie’s on Main – Elgin, TX
  • What’s happening: Fast-paced bingo with CASH prizes Ugly Sweater Contest (bragging rights encouraged) Interactive gift exchange game Food trucks on site The bar will be OPEN DHR merch stand
  •  Bingo cards: $25 (CASH ONLY!)
Come laugh, compete, swap gifts, and celebrate the season — all while supporting the incredible work of Down Home Ranch 💛

Date

Tue, Dec 15, 2026

Time

5:00 PM

Location

Millie's on Main

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“Y’all do a great job! [My son] begins looking forward to returning as we are pulling out of the DHR gates! He becomes more confident every camp visit!”

Camper Mom

“I taught middle school math way back when. In all the training I had for curriculum planning for Gifted & Talented kids, I learned about the rich sort of environment that motivates students. The things [My Rancher] gets to do every day at DHR are providing her with that very type of rich environment. Her social interactions and even her intellectual abilities have grown so much since she's been at DHR.”

Rancher Mom

“When we had a little goodbye Oreo party for my last day as a social work intern, I was so sad. Driving to the Ranch that first time, I never imagined how much I’d love working with the ranchers. I’ll miss checking in every Friday, joining art classes, and even chasing chickens. But I’ll be back! If you see me at an event or the Pavilion, please say hello, I’d love to hear your story of finding Down Home Ranch.”

DHR Social Work Intern

“He relishes the stars in the rural night sky. The ability to wear boots and a cowboy hat as a daily uniform is delightful. His purpose now is to help wherever he can, whenever he can, because he can. There is a feel at the ranch that is peaceful, loving, inclusive and welcoming. Everyone has a place or a role.”

Sister of a Rancher

Tour the Ranch

Come in person or check out the online webinar to see what life is like out on the Ranch. Tour the 410 acres, get a feel for the daily rhythm, and meet the folks who make this place feel like home. We’ll wrap up with an open chat where we dive into the nitty-gritty of camp, residential living, and respite.

Book Now Contact Us

Book a Field Trip

Have a group of folks who would love to get outside and learn? Bring ’em on over to DHR for a hands-on field trip. Explore nature, meet animals, and enjoy fun activities. Trips run Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. And, teachers attend free!

Book Now Contact Us

Be a part of our future

Our 410 acres are home to a community where Ranchers are empowered to thrive side by side. Thanks to the support of donors and volunteers like you, Down Home Ranch can continue providing work, care, and camp for many years to come.

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