Aspen Ranch provides a safe environment for troubled adolescents in need of therapeutic and academic assistance. Through experiential learning, self-examination, and community building, we teach students to develop a sense of their talents and capabilities, to value the gifts of others, and to make meaningful contributions to their families, friends, and society. We believe that academics are therapeutic and essential in the growth and progress of a student. Our objectives for students include education, self-awareness, self-mastery, values clarification, self-esteem, sobriety, teamwork, responsibility, decision-making, coping, and fun. Aspen Ranch is a residential treatment center for boys and girls ages 13-18 who experience a wide variety of emotional, academic, and behavioral problems. Our high school curriculum offers a healthy balance between the development of group skills and a focus on self. Aspen Ranch is deeply rooted in the philosophy of the work ethic, particularly as pertaining to ranch-type chores, including animal care, fence repair and maintenance, crop irrigation, carpentry, landscaping, and other similar duties. Participating in ranch activities is both therapeutic and recreational. The primary focus of these activities is character development, education, discovery or enhancement of skills, and enjoyment. Students primarily work with horses while at the Ranch. Each student's work with horses can be among his or her most memorable time spent at Aspen Ranch. Students can learn to ride, general horse care, and more advanced techniques such as ground work, basic training skills, assisting with birthing, medicating sick or injured animals, and farrier (shoeing) work. While the coursework and treatment offered are individualized for specific student needs and abilities, Aspen Ranch’s program focuses heavily on group process. Each week students work individually with their own psychotherapist. They also engage in group therapy, equine assisted psychotherapy, substance abuse groups, character development groups, issues groups, levels evaluation groups, ranch work projects, and experiential activities like our ropes course. Aspen Ranch is a "therapeutic community." Every day in our family-like atmosphere provides therapeutic learning. |
