Making preparations for our 2019 season (the 7th for our Youth Program)!

We have a wonderful crew of Session Leaders preparing for the 2019 season, as well as a great group of young people who have applied to be Junior Volunteers. It’s going to be a fantastic season! Staff training takes place during the month of May, and then summer sessions begin!

Achaius Ranch offers free sessions to youth ages 8 – 18 through our youth program. A session is 90 minutes of time reserved especially for one child to work and play at the ranch, led by a trained adult “leader.” The first part of each session is dedicated to service, to help maintain the horses, their environment, equipment, etc. During the remainder of the session, the child learns about horses: grooming, care, horsemanship, and riding.

If  you have children (8-18) interested in participating and/or if you are an adult interested in volunteering, or if you have any questions, please contact Program Director, Elisha McCulloh, MSW, LCSW at elisha@achaiusranch.org or 765 376-9535.

What impact does Achaius Ranch have on children and their families? We’ll let them speak for themselves. Here are some quotes from session participants and/or parents or mentors (from an anonymous survey):

“My daughter is so happy to be at the ranch, while she loves to ride she does not have to be riding to be happy. She can be mucking the stalls or brushing the ponies she just loves animals and the peace that she feels at he ranch.”

“Exercise and challenges are both given to us at Achaius. Physical activity, as well as a sense of accomplishment/ competence improve physical and mental well-being. Being in the Christian environment at Achaius improves my spiritual well-being and make me feel safe and comfortable opening up.”

“My self worth is improved when I am faced with a challenge and I am able to overcome it. This happens at Achaius Ranch. Both the staff and the horses at ranch also demonstrate unconditional love, which is very empowering.”

“I’ve never heard any negativity while visiting the ranch.”

“Achaius Ranch was a wonderful resource this summer. I am a mentor to a student with severe behavioral issues, and I saw a completely different side to her. The one-on-one attention from staff and time with the horses really brought out the best in her. She was attentive, calm, respectful, and took control in a responsible way- all things that are normally very difficult for her on a day to day basis. When we first got there, she didn’t even want to get out of the car because of her extreme anxiety. They waited for her patiently and when she did join the group they were so kind and let her work through everything at her own pace.”

“The ranch is a wonderful hidden treasure! EVERYONE there is so friendly and have positive values!”

News:

We now have a merchandise page!

Check out our 2018 Newsletter. If you would like to receive a printed version and/or be added to our mailing list, please contact elisha@achaiusranch.org

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)