Youth at the Boys Ranch work and play hard throughout the
summer. With 500 acres of land and many livestock to care for, youth play an
important role in caring for their home.
Several mornings each week, youth are separated into work
crews to complete jobs around the Ranch. Pat Close, Ranch manager, prepares of
list of tasks and works with Nicole Ehler, director of program services, and
homeparents to assign duties. Chores include taking care of yard work, making facility
repairs, clearing brush, mending fences and feeding, grooming and cleaning
animals and their pens.
“This is their facility so they help out with all the daily
maintenance at the Ranch,” Ehler said. “We couldn’t do what we do without their
involvement. They make the Ranch better for themselves and for everyone around
them.”
During afternoons, youth take part in group sessions,
community service and classes. Organizations served through community service include
Friends for Life, Salvation Army and Meals on Wheels. On Thursday afternoons,
youth choose a talent to explore through horseback riding, fishing, 4H crafts
and photography, music, mechanics, cooking and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Youth also enjoy special activities with their peers and
staff on Mondays and during Friday Fun Days. Activities have included a
scavenger hunt, lake day, water day, staff versus student games, and “Crazy
Game” day. Youth also went to the Perot Museum, Six Flags, Urban Air Trampoline
Park and Hawaiian Falls. Youth enjoyed their first Flotilla competition where
each home unit built a flotation device to ride across Slator Pond. The
competition was a team-building activity that was a hit with the youth.
“We’re here to build community and have fun. I want everyone
to get closer, create new memories and walk away having grown as a person,”
Ehler said.
To view our photo gallery of the summer at the Boys Ranch,
click here.
*A special thanks to Nicole Ehler for her photo
contributions for this blog and photo gallery.
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