Program Description

Rules are enforced and time is very structured. No free time is allotted, and each youth is directed, taught, encouraged, confronted and held accountable for his/her actions. Students begin to work on goals and are required to complete them before they can move to the next level in the program. It should be remembered that, as a student "earns" their way off Level I, they can also "earn" their way back through improper behavior.
Top

LEVEL II:

This phase also takes place at Roundy Camp, but allows a little more freedom and choice. Daily activities are very routine. No longer are the necessities of life that parents provide taken for granted. Each youth is assigned daily chores and responsibilities, and stringent daily personal hygiene standards are not only encouraged but enforced.

Roundy Camp is physically and mentally challenging, but very rewarding. It is frustrating, but enlightening. And most importantly, it establishes a foundation of discipline, respect, and orderliness. Both individual and group counseling sessions are facilitated on a regular scheduled basis throughout the program. Also, there are many unscheduled spontaneous group sessions precipitated from a particular incident or confrontation. Quite often these are the "key" or most productive groups since the students' emotions, attitudes, and feelings are at their peak.
Top

LEVEL III:

Now that a foundation of change has been provided at the "Roundy Camp", the youth are moved to the main hub of the ranch known as "The Barn" area. This phase initiates the real building blocks, the framework that support the evolution and development of the youth's perspective of life. The youth are now able to begin accepting responsibility for themselves and their actions. As more reliability is demonstrated, more responsibility is given, slowly building self-esteem and confidence. Each youth is given chances at leadership roles and is allowed room to explore their new found strengths. The schedule will not be as strict and unwavering as it was at Roundy Camp, allowing for changes and alterations that can be found in normal life.

Level III incorporates the youth into typical every-day ranch activities, but with the structure and guidance of the staff counselors. During Level III, each student will be required to go through a horsemanship course and pass a variety of tests before being allowed to ride their horse. There are cattle drives, fences to fix, hay harvest, branding, and so on. Sound like the old west? It is...it's hot and dusty, cold and snowy, and most of all hard work! But it's realism; real work, real friends, and a real experience of being part of something bigger than you are. It's a time to realize that life is more than parties, and "hanging out", and just having fun. Life requires demands, and it also provides rewards.

Animal and youth relationships sometimes begin to play an important role in the counseling of the students during this phase. Each student is assigned a horse to care for with the teenager's own personality taken into consideration. There are also cows, calves, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, rabbits, and yes, cats and dogs. Some are old, some are young. Some are healthy, some need extra care, patience and love. Sometimes attachments are made. If so, it can be an intriguing and amazing tool in counseling behavioral patterns of youth.

Level III can be fun, frustrating and challenging. Sometimes it opens doors, sometimes it closes others. But most importantly it can be a time when changes are made, changes created by being in a different place, doing different things, being around different people, realizing that life is not what it seemed to be.
Top

LEVEL IV:

After intense activity and emotional trials, the youth now have a completely new outlook on themselves. In the process of working, co- operating, enduring and learning, new positive coping skills are being learned. Old bad habits are beginning to be discarded for positive new ones.

The youth will go on his or her "solo" (an individual experience closely monitored by the staff.) This is a time to be completely alone, to reflect and think, to set goals, and decide on changes needed. This time allows them to consider relationships with parents, home, school and friends.

After solo, normal ranch life resumes, with the emphasis on holding the youth accountable for their new goals and behaviors, until they become second nature to them..The Level IV phase is finished with graduation exercises where parents witness the end of a big accomplishment, and the beginning of a new life.
Top