| Schools,
Programs, & Visit Reports - Nov, 1990 Issue
|
Skyland Ranch
(206) 793-0486
Goldbar, Washington
Owners: David & Kris Pitkin
Lon Woodbury's Visit: November 1-2, 1990
The basic description of Skyland
Ranch is, a horse ranch for teenagers with drug/alcohol or other behavior
problems. There are two complimentary aspects to the ranch. One part
is a dude ranch where the public can rent riding horses for everything
from a one hour ride along the bordering Skykomish river to overnight
trips into the bordering wilderness area. The other part is a program
designed to help children learn how to take control of their lives in
a responsible and constructive manner.
The form is that of a dude
ranch with each child having responsibility for taking care of a horse,
as well as doing his or her share of chores and work around the ranch.
Within that context, privileges and responsibilities are earned, and
there is a powerful positive peer pressure among the average of 15 boys
and girls. Each child has ample opportunity to express what he or she
is feeling or thinking through low confrontation group meetings three
times a week, along with one on one sessions as needed with David or
Kris. When a child turns to negative thoughts or behavior, the other
kids are quick to call them on it and David or Kris are quick to intervene
and get on top of it. The children attend the local public school, and
those with drug background are required to attend AA meetings regularly.
There is a strong sense of
family, and home, and mutual support. Basic cleanliness is important,
but if you are looking for immaculate grounds and fastidiously groomed
horses, you will be disappointed. It looks like a typical working western
horse ranch, mud and all.
They have their share of successes
with children, and at a tuition of $725 a month, they can legitimately
claim to be one of the best bargains in the country. The Pitkins have
resisted increasing their tuition because it is very important to them
to be able to serve middle class families. The income from the dude
ranch enables them to keep the tuition low if they watch their budget.
No one has analyzed why the
ranch is successful with kids with problems, but there are several elements
I saw that seem important in explaining their success. 1.) It is small
enough to have a sense of being a home and family. David and Kris are
also able to be close to each child. 2.) Each child having to become
intimate with and responsible for their horse utilizes children's natural
love of animals, and teaches them the necessity of being responsible.
3.) The everyday contact with the outdoors is ideal for teaching the
child that some things have to be accommodated to. 4.) The Pitkins are
capable of looking past appearances and seeing and dealing with what
the child is really doing, in a firm and loving manner (It's hard to
snow them). 5.) A structure where responsible behavior is obvious and
rewarded. 6.) The culture is that of a positive peer pressure. 7.) The
children are helped and encouraged to express their true feelings, and
honesty pays. And, 8.) Learning to deal with the public as part of the
ranch business helps them "own" the ranch and keeps them from being
isolated from the mainstream of society.
Copyright
© 1990, Woodbury Reports, Inc. (This article may be reproduced without
prior approval if the copyright notice and proper publication and author
attribution accompanies the copy.) |
