It’s not “Hey Dude,” for any of you who remember the 1990s television show.

Camp at Hidden Creek Ranch is an opportunity for kids to get a sense for the outdoors, a feel for working with horses and a chance to try their hand at the cowboy life if they choose.

The ranch, located on Shelby County 43 in Sterrett, has been hosting the Buffalo Bill Western Adventure Camp this summer and has two camps remaining, July 14-16 and 28-30. Kids attending will be able to receive riding instruction, horse safety tips, participate in Western adventures, water fun and crafts. For those really wanting to dust up their boots, bull riding will be available.

Hidden Creek owner Ky Vinsant has had the vision of turning the ranch into an educational place for children and keeping the West alive in the eastern part of Shelby County.

Over the past few years, he has hosted rodeos and numerous kids Dusty Bottom rodeos. While many in the past have voiced complaints about rodeos in this paper’s letters to the editor and Web comments because they think they lead to animal cruelty, the Vinsants are quick to point out the safety precautions for animals and the care the animals receive.

Those are things learned when a kid attends a Hidden Creek event.

Cowboying ain’t easy, that’s for sure. But everyone ought to try finding an interest in the sport of rodeo.

Hidden Creek is one of numerous places that will provide private lessons for rodeoing events in the area, for those who are interested in getting into the game.

But for those of you who would like to learn more, give them a call. You never know what may be coming up on the ranch’s schedule.

Overall, no matter what your background or where you live in the county, consider taking your kids out to the ranch and letting them experience a lifestyle that is fading away, but is still part of our nation’s fabric.

For more information on the ranch, call 672-2701.