My visit to Turn About Ranch in Escalante, UT was the first time I have ever been a part of a group tour. We arrived at the airport in St. George around noon and were greeted by two Turn About staff members. There were about 12 of us visiting on this trip, and as I would later learn, most were therapists from around the country.

Turn About Ranch works with adolescents who are struggling with authority, may be experimenting with substances, compulsive lying or other defiance issues. Many are struggling in school and have a low self-concept with a lack of motivation. Often they struggle with depression/ anxiety, ADHD and other clinical diagnoses.

The staff shuttled us the two-and-a-half hour drive across Utah to the hotel where we were staying. We arrived at the hotel and were greeted by Becky Brown, Director of Admissions, Chrissy Lamy in admissions, Michelle Lindsay, the Clinical Director, Chris Christianson the Executive Director. We were given our agendas for the next day and then released to freshen up for dinner.

The next morning, the staff at Turn About split us into three groups. This allowed a large group of people to visit and still get a chance to see almost everything with a more personal experience.

Turn About Ranch is about an hour away from where we stayed, located in the small cow-town of Escelante, UT. As we neared the ranch, each group pulled away from our caravan to head to their assigned location. Our group went first to Heritage Park, a local visitor center, where all students have at least one of their groups during their stay at Turn About Ranch. At Heritage Park, we all watched a movie about the challenges of the original settlers long ago. The lesson of course was about their ability to overcome obstacles. After the movie, Michelle led a therapy group with the boys in our group. They were able to relate some of the challenges they faced in treatment with some of the challenges the settlers faced trying to cross through a hole in the rock through a narrow ravine called "Hole in the Rock."

Another of the lessons taught the young men about seeking solutions through adversity rather than running away from it. It was a powerful message for some of these boys, since many of them chose to run away from their problems rather than facing them.

We left Heritage Park and drove up the canyon to the upper part of campus, called Roundy Camp. As we drove, Becky explained that the therapists at Turn About Ranch often do their sessions out in the wilderness of southern Utah. The elements and nature, as well as on the spot need, removed restrictions of a sterile office setting and allowed the students to really open up. Becky also explained that each student participates in therapeutic groups such as leadership and accountability groups. There is also a Christian tract with Christian counselors, bible study and a pastor.

After a bit of a drive up a dusty dirt road, we arrived at Roundy Camp. We pulled into the parking area which overlooked a small, rustic prospecting village. There were tents and lean-tos, and a larger cabin sat to one side of the village. The village smelled of campfires and desert dust. We walked down the natural staircase and into the village.

Roundy camp is a "Back To Basics" camp. There is no running water, no power; except of course a solar panel used to run the communication devices for use in an emergency. Students typically stay in Roundy Camp, up to 3 weeks depending on their need. The first 2-3 days they are in a trust circle, not allowed to interact with the rest of the group and doing all their own cooking, cleaning and assignments on their own. Students begin with limited supplies and earn luxuries as they grow therapeutically. Roundy camp also hosts a low ropes course for the students to work through obstacles. This becomes one of the places kids love to bring their parents during parent week. Upon completion of this phase of Turn About Ranch, students have accomplished one community service project to leave behind for future students to enjoy.

Turn About Ranch is licensed as both a wilderness program, and a therapeutic boarding school. The ranch is a true working ranch. Students don't just move cattle to move them, there is purpose and true grit behind every aspect of the ranch. For example, in the summer, students move cattle to the summer feeding grounds. Then in the winter, they "drive" them to the winter grounds. They participate in medical checks on the animals, and witness and help with births and butchering. They also work with the numerous horses on the ranch, both therapeutically and for work. Turn About Ranch also has an extensive Vocational Program, which offers an alternative way for students to prepare themselves for the job market and furthering their education. Some of these classes include culinary arts, mechanics, construction or building trades and auto mechanics.

I was impressed with the school component at Turn About Ranch as well. Students come to the ranch and through Roundy at different points in their educational process. Often students are behind in school and need help catching up. Other times they are beyond grade level. The Academic Director at Turn About Ranch works directly with the student's sending school in order to obtain information for each student. All students do core curriculum, but it is tailored to their needs.

We briefly had a chance to see the over 18 building where several students were working on lariat skills, then we headed over for quick exercise in horse therapy before lunch.

At lunch, we met with the other groups on the tour and several students. Many of the students had helped prepare a wonderful lunch, part of their culinary vocational program. Lunch was amazing and the conversations we had with the students were equally impressive. After lunch it was time for us to head out. We thanked the students for their hospitality and wished them good luck, then loaded up and hit the trail.

Being this was my first group visit, it was a good experience. As we traveled back to the airport, we were all able to compare notes and shared our perspectives of the program. Not surprisingly, though there were a dozen of us, we all had a similar experience of the visit. It had been a good visit and we each felt reassured that the staff care about the kids and work together to make each students experience personal.