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The
Ranch paves the way for children to experience some of the
best life has to offer, while providing them the birthright
of every child – the right to healthcare, spiritual
development, educational opportunities, a safe home and
a loving therapeutic environment. We incorporate a "homelike
environment" into the program by replicating a 1940s-style
farm family, which in essence creates a large extended family
or small village.
The
program provides children with two loving houseparents and
a large number of other caring adults – social workers,
psychologists, tutors, farm hands, etc. – who serve
as mentors. These teaching houseparents model appropriate
adult behavior while other adults incorporate activities
on the farm that reinforce the skills necessary to deal
with rage and frustrations.
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The
Ranch has 5 campuses, a 528-acre site on the White River near
Batesville, an 95-acre site on the Spring River near Hardy, a 230.5-acre
site on DeGray Lake near Amity, a 265-acre site in Mulberry, and one
under development in Harrison.
The children
live in cottages with their houseparents as a family unit. "Families"
share meals and household chores. They participate in family activities
- such as watching TV, shopping, swimming, and eating out, etc.
-and generally attend church together. Children are required to
be involved in some type of church activity, but have some flexibility
in choosing that involvement. Almost all residents are involved
in some type of counseling program, either on campus or off.
Residents
are required to be involved in an education/training program. Students
at the Batesville campus attend Batesville Public School and children
at Hardy attend the Highland School District. DeGray campus students
attend Center Point School District, and Mulberry campus studenst
attend Alma School District. Students may work toward obtaining a
general educational development (GED) diploma - depending on their
circumstances. A resident may remain in the Ranch program throughout
college and/or vocational training.
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On a
typical school day, "ranchers" catch the school
bus at roughly 6:40 a.m. Each person is responsible for
waking himself or herself and getting ready in time to be
transported to the bus stop. After school, ranchers attend
two hours of tutoring Monday through Thursday. The amount
of tutoring depends on a rancher's individual needs.
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Many ranchers
have summer jobs, but those who do not are expected to do chores
around the houses or on the Ranch, as assigned by their houseparents.
Afternoons are generally free, depending on what other activities
may be planned by the family.
Residents
are expected to do a variety of household chores. Everyone is
responsible for keeping their room clean, doing their own laundry
and sharing bathroom and kitchen chores.
Many activities
are provided for residents. They are encouraged to participate
in extra-curricular activities at school or in the community.
Horseback riding is offered as a regular activity at the Ranch.
Residents may also participate in other aspects of the farm program,
as well. The Ranch has ponds stocked with a variety of fish. Weight
lifting is available, as are aerobics, softball games, volleyball
games, canoeing, camping, backpacking, rappelling, and spelunking.
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