In 1998, founders Steve and Jeanne Wilson began hosting day camps for inner city youth on their 200-acre farm in Lake City, MN.  It was soon realized the majority of the children coming to the camps had an incarcerated parent which led to the focus on children of prisoners.  In 2000, they founded Coyote Ridge Christian Ranch, the first specialized camp in Minnesota for children of prisoners.

From 2000-2003, Coyote Ridge served hundreds of children through camps and other activities.  During that time, Steve Wilson began research on children of prisoners to determine what caused these children to become at-risk.  This research led to the development of the Pan-Time Theory, which states the major cause of violent crime is the environment children experience prior to the age of ten.

While positive changes were noticed in the children as a result of the camps, it became evident after working with hundreds of children of prisoners that they needed additional support throughout the year.  This need was addressed in 2003 with the formation of Bridge Builders for Kids, which was established as a legal entity (DBA) in the state of Minnesota under Coyote Ridge Christian Ranch.  During that time Bridge Builders for Kids helped The Salvation Army start an annual camp for children of prisoners called LIFE Camp.

In 2004, Bridge Builders for Kids received a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to begin implementing a year-round mentoring program for children of prisoners in Minnesota.  This mentoring program has since grown both in depth and in areas of service.  Bridge Builders for Kids now offers both mentoring and camps to children of prisoners.

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Year	Activity
1998	Began holding day camps for inner city youth
2000	Coyote Ridge Christian Ranch became a 501c3 non-profit corporation
2001	Collaborated with Prison Fellowship Ministries in creating the first specialized camp in Minnesota for children of prisoners
2002	Collaborated with Ramsey County ACE Program on research data for children of prisoners
2003	Bridge Builders for Kids was registered as a legal entity (DBA) in the state of Minnesota under Coyote Ridge Christian Ranch
2003	Became nationally accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) – a status we continue to hold
2004	Developed the PAN-Time Theory
2004	Helped The Salvation Army start their own camp  program (L.I.F.E. Camp) for children of prisoners which is still operating today
2004	Received a 3-year federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to begin implementing a year-round mentoring program
2004	Began providing mentors and match support to children of prisoners
2005	Began a formal partnership with The Salvation Army’s Project Break-Through program to offer support to the caregiver of the children
2006	Began collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Corrections and presenting to inmates the opportunities available to their children
2006	Expanded mentoring program to serve the Rochester and Olmsted County area and also hosted weekend Life Conferences.
2006	Became certified members of the Twin Cities Christian Foundation
2007	Selected to be part of the Three Cities Demonstration Project which was managed by Twin Cities Christian Foundation
2007	Hosted two Coyote Ridge day camps for children of prisoners
2008	Hosted two 4-day camps for children of prisoners