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The ORME School & Camp
Alumni Association
Current Events
Please see below letter from the Orme Family regarding the sale and our way forward this is exciting!
Hello from the Orme Family,
This letter comes to you from Paul, Shawn, Katie, Lauren, Mallory, Charles, and Alexandra Orme; Uncle Chick & Aunt Minna’s and Charlie & Mimi’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Warm greetings to all.
As you know, the Orme Ranch was purchased in 1929 by Uncle Chick and Aunt Minna, who shortly thereafter founded the Orme School with enduring values of integrity, hard work, ethical living, respect for self and community, and stewardship of the land. These values shaped a way of life that deeply connected generations of people - students, campers, faculty, and families to this extraordinary place. Thirty-plus years later, the Orme family recognized the need to adapt in order for the Ranch and School
to each continue to grow. In 1962, under Charlie’s leadership, the School incorporated as a not-for-profit entity governed by an independent Board of Trustees, legally separate from the Orme family and the Ranch. As the School evolved under new leadership, so did its relationship with the Orme family. Over many years, the Orme family gift-deeded, sold, or traded Ranch land to establish the School’s 300-acre campus which is the only land that has now been transferred.
The Orme Ranch continues to thrive in its ninety-sixth year; its leadership still consists of family owners. Third, fourth, and fifth generations of Ormes live on the Ranch, protecting its private land including the mesas, Buzzard’s Peak, and much of Ash Creek. In 2023, the family placed 900 acres into a conservation easement, forever protecting these sensitive areas from development.
Like many of you, we are heartbroken by the closing of the School; a place that shaped lives, inspired purpose, and left an imprint on everyone who passed through the Barnyard gate. We believe, however, that the spirit of Orme is far greater than a single institution. That spirit exists in the people who lived, learned, played, and worked in this special place. We all carry its lessons into the world. That spirit is alive in the land whose beauty and resilience continually remind us of our responsibilities as its stewards. Today, the School property has a new steward, Alan Kempner, from the class of 1968. Alan’s vision for the 300-acre campus is to create a new educational community that promotes sustainable agricultural, artistic, and architectural practices for future generations.
The Orme family fully supports Alan Kempner’s vision for the future of the campus. Like so many of you, Alan shares the values of Orme’s founders and is deeply committed to (as Charlie taught us) ‘leaving our campsite better than we found it’. Restoration and repair of historic buildings, grounds, and gardens will take considerable time and effort and are now underway. Reconnecting and honoring our shared history is important to us as we move forward. The Orme family, Alan Kempner, and the new Alumni Association plan to collaborate on opportunities for friends and alumni to return when the campus is ready to welcome visitors once again. We invite you to share this letter with anyone you believe would be happy to receive it.
Warmest Regards,
The Orme family
The Sale: As those of you who are on social media know, the sale of The Orme School and Camp closed over the week of 03 November 2025. Here's a copy of the official email:
Dear Orme Alumni, Families, and Friends,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, it is with both deep gratitude and hopeful anticipation that we announce the official sale of The Orme School property and assets in Mayer, Arizona to the Kempner Institute for Sustainable Living Education, a nonprofit organization founded by an Orme alumnus. This moment marks an important turning point in The Orme School’s nearly 100-year history.
As many of you know, The Orme School’s final class graduated in May of this year (2025), closing a remarkable chapter that began with the school’s founding in 1929. Since then, generations of students have learned, lived, and grown on this land, shaped by its beauty, its challenges, and its tight-knit community.
A New Steward for a Beloved Place,,,
The Kempner Institute for Sustainable Living Education was established to advance hands-on learning in sustainability, permaculture, regenerative agriculture, and environmental leadership. Guided by these values and rooted in an alum’s personal connection to The Orme School, the Institute will become the new steward of the campus. The new owner has announced plans to repurpose the property as a center for:
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Sustainability Education
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Permaculture Training
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The Arts
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Outdoor Learning and Exploration
In addition, the campus will host camps and community programs, welcoming a broad range of learners and visitors to engage with the land in meaningful and responsible ways. While the educational programs will evolve under new leadership, the core spirit of Orme - learning from the land, living in community, and cultivating character, will continue in a new form.
Honoring Orme Traditions
A central priority in the transition has been honoring Orme’s most cherished traditions, and ensuring that the community remains connected to the place that has meant so much to so many. In that spirit, we are pleased to share that long-standing events are expected to continue on the property, including:
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Annual alumni reunions, providing opportunities for Orme School and Camp alumni and friends to return, reconnect, and revisit the campus they once called home.
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The Los Vaqueros men’s ride, preserving a beloved tradition that celebrates camaraderie, horsemanship, and the Western heritage that has been so central to Orme’s identity.
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Potential continuation or renewal of a Fine Arts Festival, reflecting Orme’s long-standing support for creativity, visual arts, music, and performance in this unique natural setting.
These events will help ensure that, even as the programs on campus evolve, the Orme community remains welcome and present on the land that has shaped generations of students.
Looking Ahead
We know this news carries a mix of emotions: nostalgia for what has been, gratitude for the experiences shared, and curiosity and hope for what comes next. The Board is confident that the sale to the Kempner Institute for Sustainable Living Education is the best path to:
● Honor Orme School’s legacy and values
● Preserve the land as a place of learning and stewardship
● Maintain a living connection for alumni, families, faculty, and friends
Information Moving Forward
Transcript Requests
Official academic transcripts remain available. Please visit www.ormeschool.org for instructions.
The Orme School Archives
The school’s historical archives are now preserved at the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, Arizona. Alumni and friends may support the ongoing preservation of the school’s history through tax-deductible donations made directly to the Museum.
Alumni Information
The Orme School Alumni Association will serve as a central hub for alumni news,
connections, and upcoming events. Visit www.ormeschoolandcampalumni.com for the latest updates and opportunities to stay engaged.
Legacy Fund
Following the fulfillment of all remaining obligations, the net proceeds from the sale will be dedicated to establishing a donor-advised fund at the Arizona Community Foundation, ensuring the continued advancement of The Orme School’s mission, values, and culture.
Thank you for your support, your memories, and your enduring love for The Orme School. While the school as an institution has concluded its final academic year, the spirit of Orme will continue in new ways on the same land, under the care of those who understand its history and believe in its future.
With respect and appreciation,
The Orme School Board of Trustees
Mayer, Arizona
Edison's Film: are absolutely thrilled that Edison Eskeets and Philip Lawrence won best documentary at the 2025 Golden Gates International Film Festival for his film "The Long Walk: A Dance with Humanities" about Six Runner-Messengers who run 330 miles to commemorate the Navajo Long Walk and honor the perseverance and endurance of The Diné. Orme School & Camp Alumni are included in this film and a few were able to attend the film's opening with Edison. A thousand congrats Edison; we look forward to watching your film.
Doug Hart's Memorial: Please see the following link for Doug Hart's memorial website. https://everloved.com/life-of/douglas-hart/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAN7aZxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEex69Q9zzWy7FPsQo-aCQ7pltPcQ0XSXqxQ0hwLGg_JC4YGGY4eJjpeS9VA8w_aem_UglZ_636DOAsVP5AefyN4w
Whit Knight's Book: Our own Whit Knight published a book on June 10th, 2025 entitled "Three Virtuous Women". You can find it on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Virtuous-Women-Other-Stories/dp/B0FHYT6P7V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=341VRKKKU5R87&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0wHpj7dLchHVY7JJLU_sxovn0xjTxCt6RTSdiSEwfN6f2HBk5GqYmqvKfguTfQ-ZZDiQC5YBoQjCMWfo_Q41fxWvZ5BQtRQY5u4PQV6iMXn7za1zRGe-ESc4XHBBoqX5Pxhu1qMyP-Fv7emm_XUeCmec2ivFHZqcKMuyq46F-4GmoqbZJWhkszNPcZjnm4jNCng32dtcF3kNfjRvhK_SaZnE-jfPMSFS4SZlnOCgiYU.u9lYYaoXFKqdYWo3DZk05GS19tXJCX1pVs2GZN9I518&dib_tag=se&keywords=three+virtuous+women&qid=1762564541&sprefix=three+virtuous+wome%2Caps%2C313&sr=8-1
About
The Orme School and Camp was a co-ed, college-preparatory boarding school and camp located in Northcentral Arizona. The school supported grades 8-12, and campers were traditionally from 8 to 17 years old. Founded in 1929, The Orme School and Camp was rooted in its history as a working cattle ranch through its equestrian and sustainability programs, and prepared the next generation of leaders through rigorous academic and sports programs. Orme's commitment to its past was embodied by its motto: Excellence. Tradition. Character. Regretfully, The Orme School and Camp closed in the summer of 2025 due to COVID and the post-COVID economic downturn. Financial pressures, coupled with more homeschooling and an increase in Charter and religious schools, also lessened the number of families seeking boarding schools for their children.
History
In 1929, Charles H. Orme, Sr., and Minna Vrang Orme (inducted into the Arizona Women’s Hall of Fame in 1989) began a personal adventure that became the history of The Orme School. They left their dairy farm in Phoenix and bought a ranch in the high grassland of central Arizona. Both graduates of Stanford University, the Ormes believed in the necessity of a good education. They opened a one-room school in an old ranch house to educate their three children and those of the ranch’s employees; at this time, Orme was called the Quarter Circle V Bar Ranch School. From those early days, an Orme education was based on the principle that a child's best education stresses a solid academic foundation in a family setting where each student is expected to be an important, contributing member of the community.
Charles H. Orme, Jr. (“Charlie”) was a product of this education. After he graduated with honors from Stanford University, the commitment to his parents’ educational values led him back to Orme in 1945 to become Headmaster. From 1929 to 1950, the Orme School was K-8; between 1948 and 1950, Charlie began admitting high school students, formally graduating their first class of three students in 1952. The academic program expanded to meet the new dynamics of a vastly increased enrollment and high school-aged children. The K-8 elementary school operated at the Orme School until approximately the mid-1960s, when elementary school children at Orme began going to Mayer Elementary. The Orme School retained the 8th grade as part of the curriculum for the majority of the next 60 years. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was a "Little School" on campus. It was not an official part of Orme, but an adjunct school created on campus to support Orme faculty and staff who did not want their children to go to Mayer. In 1962, the Orme School was incorporated as a not-for-profit institution governed by a Board of Trustees.
Charlie Orme served as Headmaster until his retirement in 1987. His tenure of 42 years as the academic leader of The Orme School ensured that the values of hard work, community contribution, and personal responsibility became a permanent part of the Orme tradition.
The Quarter Circle V Bar Ranch Camp, aka the Orme Summer Camp (branded the Orme Summer Camp in the 1990s), was for campers ages 7-17. Camp also had summer school and, for a decade, included a Spanish Language Institute. Sometimes, campers as young as 6 could attend if there was an older brother or sister in “Youngers” to accompany their 6-year-old sibling. In the late 1970s, the maximum age for campers was changed to 16 due to the ages of the Counselors.
Orme Songbook
This songbook has been compiled to record many of the songs that have become favorites around the Orme School and Camp Campfires. It is dedicated to the “Old Hands” who have shared this experience with us and to the many “New Hands” who will come and join in the wonderful fellowship of our campfire circle.”
- Buck
Los Vaqueros de Farmacia
(The Drugstore Cowboys)
A Short History of The Orme School’s Annual Horseback Ride
In the late 1960s, a group of Orme Alumni began talking about how the dirt roads throughout America were disappearing. It was proposed that, before the roads were all paved, the group should make a trip from the West Coast to the East Coast, traveling only on dirt roads. Well, they soon realized that wouldn’t work, so decided to take a horseback ride from The Orme School to Phoenix.
The first ride was in March of 1976 with 10 Vaqueros making the trip in 72 hours. They reveled in the great vistas, good company, and the cowboy experience so much that it became an annual event, with the promise to always travel with a support crew, several cooks, and a well-stocked bar and chuck box. Over the years, the Vaqueros have traversed the mountains, canyons and hogbacks all across Yavapai County looking for camp, and pretty nearly always finding it.
The ride is now five days long and includes a Saturday night Vaquero Reunion with camp songs, professional entertainment, tales of Old Arizona, and plenty of Vaquero humor. Los Vaqueros has remained small by choice, and there are no strangers in a group that we’ve capped at 35. For most Vaqueros, this is their only ride.
Other options to riding a horse are also offered such as riding in a van, hiking from campsite to campsite, or riding along with ‘El Jefe Alberto’ in the Number One supply truck. You are welcome to even just join us for the Saturday night festivities if you cannot get away for the full five days. The Vaqueros always ride out on a Wednesday during the School’s Spring Break in mid-to-late March, and return the following Sunday morning.
Everyone is entitled to a phenomenally stupid idea.
- William S. “Buck” Hart, Founder
Dates for the next ride:
The 2026 ride, our 50th year, will be held in March 2026. The exact dates will be determined in October 2025.
For Further Information, Contact Us.
Riders from 1976
In Memoriam
You were our friends and confidants. You were our chosen family; some were our surrogate parents, others were our brothers and sisters. You were there for us when we loved, laughed and cried. You helped us grow; you enabled us to reason, and to think.
All of you changed our lives just by knowing you, and you will never be forgotten.
The Quarter Circle V Bar Brand
Since the Orme School was founded in 1929, the "logo" has been the Quarter Circle V Bar, an historic cattle brand. For generations of students and campers, it has been the beloved symbol of their school/camp. As noted in the History section above, both the School and the Ranch were previously known simply as the “Quarter Circle V Bar.”
The brand was introduced by George Whitson, who in 1878 bought the homestead of sheepherder George Hance and switched to cattle. In the 1880s, Whitson built a simple board-and-batten house with neither frame nor foundation. The Orme School began in that humble abode, which still stands as the oldest building on campus. In the red floor of that building, you can see the logo etched by the School’s co-founder Charles H. Orme, Sr., affectionately known to students as “Uncle Chick.” The brand is owned and used to mark the cattle of the Orme Ranch.
A story has been told about the evolution of the brand. It was said to have been derived from an earlier brand representing an upside down kettle bail (the curved wire handle of a bucket). Cowboys found it hard to draw a curve with the running irons of the day and corrupted it to a V shape, but that was too easy for cattle rustlers to alter, so a bar was added underneath. Finally, to further deter rustlers, Whitson added a quarter circle to the top. Or so the story goes.