Boys Ranch offers variety of educational, recreational opportunities

Glen Kinder describes his role as director of program services at the Boys Ranch as the "best job in the entire MCH system." In this position, Kinder schedules a variety of activities to support the efforts of homeparents and teachers who work with residents on a daily basis.

The goal, according to Kinder, is to offer opportunities for residents to experience growth inside and outside the Boys Ranch.

"We want to increase the number of positive experiences available to our kids while they're at the Boys Ranch," he said. "Most of our residents have had plenty of negative experiences."

The Boys Ranch offers numerous activities to keep residents busy. These range from work crews and student organizations to community service projects and field trips. Whether it's baling hay during the summer, caring for livestock as part of Future Farmers of America (FFA) or canoeing down the Brazos River, the goals are the same - to help residents acquire knowledge and develop new skills, build self-confidence and strengthen relationships with peers and adults.

One of the most popular programs on campus is FFA, where a large majority of residents learn to raise livestock or develop woodworking and welding skills. The Boys Ranch chapter of FFA, which is under the direction of Jimmy Hale, is well-represented each year at local, regional and state competitions.

Other activities that enable residents to develop leadership abilities include peer mediation, where boys learn to mediate conflicts that arise among their peers; Student Council, a student-led campus organization; and peer mentoring, which provides opportunities for older residents to mentor younger boys or newcomers to the Ranch.

Residents and staff alike enjoy recreational and educational trips away from the Ranch. Groups from the Boys Ranch have recently visited museums, the Alamo, an East Texas fish hatchery, Enchanted Rock and Inks Lake.

Kinder said an important aspect of planning activities is to receive input from residents.

"It's important to give the boys a say in what everyone is doing because they learn that their decisions affect others," Kinder said.

In addition to the many life lessons taught at the Ranch, Kinder and other staff members also want the boys to enjoy their time in the program.

"The boys really seem to enjoy the different activities," he said. "We want their time at the Ranch to be a positive, life-changing experience."

This article appeared in the April 2003 issue of Sunshine. Methodist Children's Home, Waco, Texas