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Hey, everybody, it's Joe Artis Horn. I'm here at the Whispering Ponies Ranch, Rockwall. I got two stories about what's happening. Yes, yes. My hands are filthy. They're not really filthy when you grab these ropes and they're ripping through your hands over and over again. There's a sediment that I've washed my hands today and I'm about to do it again. There's a couple of stories I want to share with you that just took place moments ago. First, the return of the Spider King. So we're getting ready to do orientation here at the rock wall. The kind of children that we serve are the kids that are wards of the state. Many of them have been rescued from sex trafficking. These are kids that have seen every kind of unimaginable abuse. And so a lot of them have, you know, obvious, obvious anxieties and fears and apprehensions. A lot of them are being told by psychiatrists and doctors that this is just part of life. And so they come here to the Whispering Ponies Ranch, to the theater of outdoors for their encounter with Jesus Christ centered program and an opportunity to confront some of those anxieties and are positioned for the greatest types of success that we can offer here as a team. And the rock wall, to those unfamiliar, might just look like a fun amenity, like a roller coaster. While you climb, you come down, you climb, you come down. But for the kids that we serve, this rock wall can be a place of great therapy, can be a place of great breakthrough, where shame cycles are confessed and abuse cycles are revealed. And, you know, kids are triumphant and they overcome and they really start to begin a process of shedding and letting go of fear and the enemy's grip that he has on so many of these young ones. This is where they find Jesus Christ. So today we're doing orientation, and this little boy comes in, and I'm struggling to remember his name. I saw him last year. I knew that I knew him. And before I could even say, now, now remind me, what's your name? He looks at me and he goes, you called me the Spider Boy last year. Immediately it came back. This little boy is, is super proficient at climbing the rock wall. And I said, you're right, it's the Spider boy. Everybody look, it's the Spider Boy. This. This kid's very good at climbing the rock wall. But words matter. And this, this young man for an entire year has. Has held on to this memory of me calling him the Spider boy. And so that's the thing, is that a Lot of these kids, they hang on to every word from their counselor. You speak life over them, and it is something that they carry from that day forward. They are no longer the child they were before they arrived at this camp. They now leave with a new identity. And. And we've got. That's why we're big on nicknames. We've got so many kids that come back year after year. You know, the counselor, Dale, Big Steve. I've talked with you about memories of Big Steve, Mega Maggie. I mean, the list just goes on and on. And now the Spider Boy. And it's because last year, he was scaling this part here called Mega Wall. And, of course, during orientation, I always do the Optimus prime voice. And I say, if you make it past intermediate wall and you want to try Mega Wall, sometimes I'll do it through the megaphone for even more impact. And it was really precious because at one point, right before one of his climbs, I said, now when you get the very top and you smash the bell so everybody knows you made it up there, I said, do you want us to use your name, Shane, to celebrate, or do you want everybody to celebrate the Spider Boy? And he said, I want him to celebrate the Spider Boy. You know, obviously, Spider Boy came back this year and just scaled these, like, no problem celebrating his big identity as the Spider Boy. And it was so infectious. One of the other little boys named Logan started insisting that I call him the Spider Boy, too. Hey,
Episode: Spider Boy Returns To WPR!
Date: July 23, 2026
Host: Joe Artis Horn
Location: Whispering Ponies Ranch (WPR), Rockwall
In this heartfelt episode, host Joe Artis Horn reflects on his experiences at Whispering Ponies Ranch, a unique camp serving children who have survived trauma and abuse—many rescued from sex trafficking and life as wards of the state. Through his storytelling, Joe explores how encouraging words, supportive community, Christ-centered programming, and challenging activities like the rock wall help children find healing, confidence, and renewed identity.
On the Impact of Camp:
On the Spider Boy's Return:
On Identity and Encouragement:
On Creating Camp Traditions:
On the Power of Affirmation:
This episode offers a deeply moving look at how small acts of kindness, recognition, and encouragement can profoundly impact the lives of traumatized children. By sharing the story of "Spider Boy," Joe illustrates the immense power of words and identity in shaping a young person’s sense of self and hope for the future. Whispering Ponies Ranch emerges as not just a camp, but a transformative, Christ-centered refuge where brokenness can give way to breakthrough and joy.