Ranch For Troubled Teens

Life on the Ranch For Troubled Teens

At Master’s Ranch Christian Academy, a ranch for troubled teens in Missouri , we operate as much as possible like a family, rather than an institution. We have one major advantage over the average American family, and that is on our boys ranch we can focus ALL our attention on your child, because that is what you have asked us to do. A normal family is stretched so thin today with extra jobs, activities, responsibilities and other pressing family duties. And troubled teens require so much more time, energy and effort. So much of what we try to do is what do as a parent; to just walk through the hours, days, weeks and months of life with the kids, using every moment as an opportunity for learning. We strive to present everything we do with a positive attitude that will benefit your child. With this in mind, we structure our program around many different areas:

Boys Ranch Counseling

As you know, most good counseling is just good listening. We want to hear from your son. What does he think? How does he feel? If necessary we will try to correct erroneous thinking, and feelings not grounded in actual fact. We will always use the Bible as the standard for truth and clear thinking. But your child will need a friend to go to; someone he trusts and will talk to. That is a big priority for us. Your child’s confidentiality will be respected. We will also flow appropriate information to you so that you can make course corrections at home if need be to get ready for your reunion. We have experienced quality counseling staff to work with your child.

Animal Therapy For Troubled Teens

We have seen the value of connecting kids to animals. Children not only learn responsibility as they care for something that needs them, but they also make emotional connections. We will do this through horses, cows, pigs, chickens and dogs.

Advocacy

Please understand that not all of the kids we see have a loving, supportive family at home. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling quite sorry for our boys and girls after we actually get to know their parents. However, we are assuming that you are the former: a loving and supportive family that wants your child back better and in one piece. We will be your advocate. While your child is here, he or she will go through angry phases. He or she may lie and manipulate to gain our sympathy. They may tell us harsh things about you that are simply not true. Please realize, we have seen this before and are not affected by it. We believe in your authority and the honor due to a mother and father. We will stand up for you and the other authorities in your child’s life. If you have made mistakes that your child resents you for, you will have ample opportunity to get those right in time. We will work hard to see that your child is ready to make peace from both sides of the war: The things he or she has done wrong, and the wrongs he or she perceives to have been done to them.

What These Tools Will Teach Your Child

Your child will live in a structured and disciplined environment. Teens will learn to obey rules without argument. They will learn about delayed gratification and will be away from the harmful influences so readily available in real life; life-controlling issues, worldly music, violent or immoral movies, inappropriate physical contact with boys or girls, internet, cell phones, etc. They will have to listen to calm words of instruction, not tones of anger. In a few months’ time your child will seem like a new person. But beware: this is just the basic training phase. It is easier to conform to our environment than to retain good behavior. What we encourage is the patience to wait on the slower process of the development of good character. This is when they begin to do right, from the heart because they see the value for themselves.

Our boys ranch is not perfect. We are not their natural parents. But we will provide a sound alternative to a very imperfect situation. We hope to send your child home ready to start over with you. Can I be honest with you? It doesn’t always work. Though we can claim some of the best statistics of any child intervention ministry in America, your child still possesses a free will that God Himself won’t violate. But you and I had our kids knowing there was no money back guarantee tagged to their toes when they came out. But we love them and give them our best anyway and ultimately are obliged to leave the results to them.

We will give you our best effort. God will always support you when you do the right things. Your child will have another chance to make a life for himself. What more can any of us do? I believe you will sleep at night after that, no matter what decision he makes. And please, lay your guilt and self-recriminations aside; your child has been doing the choosing for some time now. Masters Ranch may be the last choice you get to make for your kid. If you are motivated by love and right, it is a great choice. I promise you this; no one but you will love your child more than we will.

“You have to fight harder to save your child’s life than they are willing to fight to throw it away.” Mamma T