What To Look For In A Ranch For Troubled Boys

There are many youth help programs and facilities across the country and they range from therapeutic boarding schools to wilderness camps to boys ranches. When parents decide that their troubled teen sons need professional help over a longer period of time, many turn to boys ranches as the solution.

Not all facilities and programs are equal, so parents need to learn what to look for in a ranch for troubled boys to ensure they are putting their child in the program that best meets his needs.

High Standards

Parents should look for a boys ranch with high ethical standards. There are many ranches for troubled boys out there that adhere to high standards of care, counseling, treatment and support, while a few ranches for troubled boys have a lower success rate in helping teen boys overcome their issues. Parents should look for ranches with comprehensive therapy and recreation programs that are designed to give teen boys the help and experience they need to be successful.

Qualified Staff

The best ranches for troubled boys will have experienced and licensed professionals working there. From therapists and counselors to the medical team and activities leaders, staff members should be carefully selected and trained to provide the most help for troubled teen boys. Youth ranches are generally equipped to handle a certain number of teens and the staff members should each have a record of success in providing treatment, security and guidance.

Appropriate Programs

Not all boys ranches are equipped to deal with all conditions that teen boys may struggle with. While the most common emotional or mental health issues include ADD, ADHD, adoption or abandonment issues, bipolar, abuse trauma, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and substance abuse, the best boys ranch should have experience in treating the exact condition of each boy. Parents should get an official diagnosis form the family doctor or psychiatrist, an then look for a ranch for troubled boys that matches the condition of their son.

Positive Recreation

Youth ranches give teens a chance to get outdoors, perform physical activities and build their self-esteem. the best youth ranches have a strong work and recreation component. Some of the more common activities at boys ranches includes hiking, biking, horseback riding, survival skills and camping, water sports, skiing, team sports and more. Not only do boys learn how to set and achieve goals, but they learn that they can overcome any number of challenges in a positive, healthy way.

The parents of teen boys who have out-of-control behavioral and emotional challenges should seriously consider a ranch for troubled boys, and take the steps to ensure they’ve found a quality facility that will provide long-term results.

Request Free Admissions Information

Step 1 of 3 - Your Contact Info

Name*
First Last
Email*
Phone*
Address*
City State ZIP Code

Written by Natalie



Parenting Tips



17 Jun, 2015

How to Afford Military Schools for Teens

If you’ve made the decision to send your teen to military school, your next big concern may be worrying about how you and your family can afford the costs of the school. It’s understandable to be concerned about the costs of tuition. It’s also understandable to wonder...

Therapy Isn’t Helping My Troubled Teen

One of the first suggestions parents hear when they have a troubled teen is to seek out one or more types of therapy. Therapy can be hugely beneficial for teens struggling with their mental health or behavioral problems. Concerns often arise because parents feel as...

Failing and Skipping School, Now What?

High school can be a challenging time for both parents and teenagers alike; from trying to fit in and become their own person to learning boundaries and wanting to make their way in the world, your child can feel overwhelmed with this new stage of life. Keeping up...

4 Tips to Save Your Troubled Teen

Rebelling against much of what your parents stand for or instruct you to do is often an expected part of being a teenager. This type of behavior is frustrating for parents. Still, it’s a developmentally expected behavior for teens to push back, test boundaries, and...

No Respect for Authority? How to Help Your Defiant Teen

The newborn stage is overwhelming with fatigue; the toddler stage is an attempt at pushing boundaries while learning how to communicate; as your child gets older, the challenges that might arise will look different, but the premise is the same. This is especially true...

Disorderly Conduct Teen? What Can You Do?

Every child will act out at one point or another; this is a common stepping point toward learning boundaries, respecting authority, and knowing the right and wrong ways to approach a situation. However, this sort of behavior is unacceptable as your child moves toward...