our story
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
At 51:10 Youth Ranch, our heart is for the family. It is our aim that by matching one child, one horse and one mentor and by hosting community events that families will be encouraged, inspired and affirmed.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Each session is an hour and a half long and occurs once a week for a child. It’s a session and not a lesson because we are not teaching the child how to horseback ride. The child learns basic horsemanship for safety reasons and to respect the animals fully, but the focus is not on the equine academics, but rather the child’s needs. A session is not designed to just be fun, but rather something that will change lives and have an eternal impact.
This is accomplished by pairing a child with a positive leader and a special horse or activity that will focus on the child’s needs.
All activities are chosen at the discretion of each individual leader. Some of these session activities include working with/riding horses, crafts, games, chores, woodworking and painting. In addition, all children will learn basic horsemanship.
One child, one leader, one horse. Many times the sessions includes a horse, however, they can also include sewing, painting, playing games, woodworking, training horses, games on horseback, crafts, dressing up in costumes, and gardening. Boys are mentored with men and girls with women. Mentors must be at least 16 years of age.
The sessions start with a “chore.” Part of the buy-in and ownership for the child is being a part of the upkeep of the ranch. The chore should only last 15-20 minutes then the child will tack the horse and spend the remainder of the time in the session (about an hour).
Nothing is set in stone except that we want to love and mentor kids. We want to share the truth of The Lord, encourage and be available. Children will be influenced in society—good or bad. Our hope is that we can be that positive influence, even if just an hour and a half a week, to reflect Christ.
Round Pen
Training, at-will interaction with kids/horses, minimizes distractions, follow the leader
Painting Horses
Fun, play, special occasions, write messages, paint what you are feeling or how your day was.
Lunge Line
Evaluation, translates to saddle, challenges kids in new ways, fully engages kids, reveals reaction versus response
Grooming
Horses are not saddled and waiting–kids learn to groom and tack their horses. Relationship building. Foundational skills of working with horses.
Reasonable vet care
Wounded kids often identify with wounded horses and they identify with the horses healing as well. Empower kids, creating space for them to care for a living creature.
Games
Simon says, red-light green light, twister, etc.
Cones/Poles
Obstacle course, weaving, barrels, big soccer balls, etc.
Trail riding
Walk the kids and horses around the property on a lead line.
Teaching new skills
Teach creativity to keep focus on the relationship and individual accomplishments, fears, challenges, etc…Focus is not on achievement alone.
Time for the horse and child
Balance leader/kid interaction with allowing the kid to have some still time with the horse.
Chores
Everyone keeps the place running and beautiful. Explain the intention and reason behind the chore.
Art Boxes
Endless opportunities to create, connect, communicate and play
Volunteering
Working with hands, building, fixing, serving, work ethic, team building, challenging, building friendship, personal investment in the ranch. Creates opportunity for investment, ownership and belonging.
Games/Toy Box
Tic-tac-toe in the arena, water balloons, footballs, swings, baseball, soccer, Frisbee, and playing with dogs. Allowing the kids to be kids.Talk time: Just talking and listening and sharing your heart. Its important to be in eye-shot of others, even if not in ear-shot.
Big Soccer, Photography, Wood-shop, Crocheting, Sewing Crafts,Painting, etc.
Community events are planned once a month to encourage the whole family. Our belief is that in today’s society many things threaten the family including social media, both parents having to work, working long hours, leaving little time for the family to communicate and grow together. These events take place in the evening and encourage whole family participation.
Examples include:
Spaghetti and Chili dinners, Hoedowns (everyone dresses up in Western attire), Bonfires with worship
Men’s Breakfast Wednesday mornings 7am through October
A military event focused on honoring our troops and educating children (inviting veterans and active soldiers from our community)
Build-a-game night (such as corn hole boards) – this will encourage families to take them and make the time to play together
Serving our community – bringing families together to serve our elderly, homeless, veterans, etc… by serving them dinner, creating kits and time to build relationships
Bringing in resources/speakers such as marriage retreats—parents work with counselors while the kids work with counselors as well.
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