Most
teens that are going through a difficult phase in their lives tend to get worse
because they reject the mere idea that they can still change. At a young age,
some of them go through enough trying times that they do not ever feel that
they can go back to the once carefree versions of themselves. To them, showing
their negative traits and being unresponsive to those who try to help is a
defense mechanism of sorts. As much as possible, they want to divert attention
from the fact that they are in desperate need of help. With their premature
sense of pride, they want to escape from reality and seek unhealthy ways of
expressing what they feel.
Turnabout Ranch Utah is a therapeutic program for troubled teens between the ages of 13
and 17. They execute a high-impact approach in conveying Christian-based values
to the teens by letting them experience living and working in a horse and
cattle ranch. On the ranch, besides the therapeutic room sessions, the students
will also be exposed to outdoor activities, ranching responsibilities, and
chores. In addition, the program is integrated with an academic purpose that
offers the kids credits in Science, English, Math, Social Studies, and Physical
Education, ensuring that they do not fall behind their studies during this
intervention period.
What
makes the ranch-based therapeutic program effective is that it lets the teens
discover a different world from what they were once confined in. With the wide
and open environment of the ranch, they can have the space that they may have
been in need of for so long. Plus, they get to have the rare experience of
doing ranch-based activities. While it might be tiring, there is no questioning
the fact that it gives the kids a sense of excitement.
The
promise of Turnabout Ranch is that the teens will be exposed to an entirely
different setting than what they have been used to. This helps them realize the
possibility of change that is now being made available to them. The ranch
itself and the people there will instill within them the important values
of honesty, openness, respect, teamwork, and accountability.
Are you working for this program? Try reading what the students say after they leave the program.
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