Category: Annoucements

HOPE Ranch SSTAR Camp 2019 Dates Announced!

Posted on by Sheryl Barlow

Registration is now open for SStar Camp Summer 2019 sessions. SSTAR Camp is ideal for youth seeking to develop tools and strategies needed to make healthy/smart choices. HOPE Ranch horses, mental health
professionals and special education teacher help youth to practice social
skills through experiential activities.

Youth participate in discussions and activities aimed to build and develop the following skills.

  • Group cohesion
  • Communication
  • Personal safety
  • Trust
  • Self-image
  • Relationships
  • Peer pressure
  • Empowerment
  • Bullying
  • Mindfulness

The SStar Camp Difference

Our camp and activities have been developed around mental health and social skills concerns. Camp staff are trained and experienced in working with mental health and learning disabilities.

  • Licensed mental health professional facilitator
  • Special education teacher
  • Facilitator/equine specialist
  • Utilizes EAGALA and other experiential activities
  • All equine-related activities are done on the ground
  • No experience with horses is necessary

Dates and Registration Information

Ages: 8-12 years olds – Monday, August 5 & Wednesday, August 7, 10am – 4pm

Location: HOPE Ranch, 9145 80 Ave SE, Chatfield, MN 55923

Cost: $400, Registration Deadline: July 1

Questions: email secretary@hoperanchteam.com or call 507-281-3033

 

Exciting Research of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy!

Posted on by Kit

Check out this article published in Equus Magazine about the power of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. Horsing Around in Childhood Really Can Change Your Life.

The full research paper, found here, has found that Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and the interaction with horses increases cortisol levels in children and adolescents.

This research scientifically validates that interaction with animals – such as horses, dogs and cats – really does have a positive effect on our self-esteem, behavior, and social competence. These interactions increase the production of the healthy stress hormone cortisol, decreasing the chance of mental and behavioral health problems. For children, the results can mean a deep impact on stress, allowing them high functioning abilities and decreased health concerns as they age!

ACome Join Us!

Posted on by Kit

The 2nd Annual HOPE Ranch Rendezvous will be on Saturday August 9, 2014 from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm. Activities for the day include:

  • Horse
  • Grooming
  • Equine Assisted Learning Demonstrations
  • Silent Auction
  • Bake Sale
  • Games
  • Food
  • Crafts
  • And MORE!!

The Rendezvous is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, FREE Admission and FREE Parking!

Tickets for Activities will be available during the event. Bring the family!

Proceeds from the event will be put toward scholarships for those unable to pay for services on their own and for expenses related to equine services.

 

 

Building a Labyrinth

Posted on by Kit

What is a labyrinth? Strictly speaking, a labyrinth is a maze-like pattern or structure. Labyrinths have been found in every culture on every continent for hundreds of years.

Unlike a maze, which is actually a type of puzzle, a labyrinth typically has but one path.  There are no branches, forks, dead-ends, or choices one has to make while on its path.

In the time of the Crusades, labyrinths were used as a substitute for religious pilgrimage since actual travel became quite dangerous.  Labyrinth patterns have been popularized recently for use as a meditation tool.  Walking the labyrinth can be a strong metaphor for life as you meet others on the path, walk faster or slower than others, find yourself getting further away from the center just as you thought you were getting closer, etc.  The process of building a labyrinth requires first choosing a spot.  Dousing can be performed to determine whether the chosen site is energetically suitable, and where the opening and center should be positioned.  This requires being open and receptive to the energy of the land itself.

The ideal space is relatively clear of trees and shrubs and safely away from any kind of traffic or walkway.  Prior to marking out the labyrinth, consideration should be given to how the walls will be marked, whether it will be temporary or permanent, and how wide the paths should be.

The labyrinth at HOPE Ranch is large enough to take a horse partner through.  Clients and their family members may use the labyrinth, before and after sessions or by arrangement with Kit.

Thank you,
Hope Ranch Team

 

 

What’s New at Hope Ranch

Posted on by Kit

Happy Spring!  Thank goodness we are finally seeing weather that does not include snow.  Welcome you to our new Blog Page!  Here we will have new announcements, special events, and any new updates to or about HOPE Ranch.

May 27th will be our first official Labyrinth design meeting with Jean Daniels and Susan Lynn. THANK YOU BOTH!

We are excited to have received our first monetary donation for the Labyrinth Project! A BIG THANK YOU to Anne for her generous gift! We also want to thank St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Social Concerns committee for their generous gift of money to replace old riding helmets!

This month we invite you to take a look at the new payment options we have made available to you.  They are located on the top right hand corner of our website.  Here you can pay on your Account, pay for your Continuing Education, and/or simply Donate.

We have also created a new Donations and Volunteers page. Here you will see a list of donation requests and volunteer positions needed.

We hope you enjoy the improvements we have made to our website, and encourage any comments or suggestions you may have.

Have a wonderful Spring, and we will see you back soon!

Thank you,

Hope Ranch Team