A Day in the Life at Turn-About Ranch

As the sun rises over the Utah desert, Turn-About Ranch is already bustling with activity. The crow of the roosters marks the start of the day as the pigs, cows and horses wait to be fed. Our students emerge from their rustic cabins for a hearty breakfast and a day that is packed with school, therapy, ranch projects and horsemanship sessions.

Students participate in a rotating schedule of activities before and after lunch. Some will attend school at our fully accredited high school and middle school while others will practice new skills and riding techniques during horsemanship sessions led by second- and third-generation ranchers. While therapy is integrated into everything we do at Turn-About Ranch, students also have time set aside throughout the week for individual, group and family counseling.

As a working horse and cattle ranch, there are projects that students complete every week to contribute to the functioning of the ranch. Through cutting wood, harvesting crops, hauling hay, ranch cleanup, community service and other projects, teens learn valuable lessons in teamwork, leadership, coping with frustration and the value of hard work.

One of the highlights of ranch life is being able to ride horses, hike and join in on cattle drives through the hills, valleys and sandstone canyons surrounding the ranch. Students also enjoy outings to the many state and national parks located just minutes from Escalante.

At dusk, the cows come to pasture and the ranch falls silent as teens enjoy a few minutes of quiet time to read, journal or write letters before bed. As they look back on the day, students are satisfied seeing the fruits of their labor and knowing they contributed to something bigger than themselves.

Turn-About Ranch Daily Schedule

Monday-Friday
6:30 AM - 8:00 AM                Wake up, breakfast, morning chores
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM             School, horsemanship, ranch projects, therapy, life skills, or student outing
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM             Lunch
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM               School, horsemanship, ranch projects, therapy, life skills, or student outing
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM               Goals
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM               Dinner and Chores
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM               Free time, goals, homework
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM              Quiet time
9:30 PM                                 Lights Out

Saturday
6:30 AM - 8:00 AM             Wake up, breakfast, morning chores
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM           Horsemanship, ranch projects, therapy, life skills, or student outing
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM           Lunch
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM             Horsemanship, ranch projects, therapy, life skills, or student outing
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM             Goals
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM             Dinner and Chores
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM             Free time, goals, homework
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM             Quiet time
9:30 PM                               Lights Out

Sunday
6:30 AM - 8:00 AM             Wake up, breakfast, morning chores
8:00 AM - 11:00 AM           Free time
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM         Church
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM           Lunch
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM             Free time
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM             Dinner and Chores
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM             Free time
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM             Quiet time
9:30 PM                               Lights Out

School

Our fully accredited academic program allows teens to continue their education while participating in treatment. Students attend school 2-3 times per week in 4-hour block sessions. Courses include science, English, math, social studies and physical education.

Horsemanship

During horsemanship, teens learn about horse anatomy, safety, and the basics of caring for these amazing animals. Once they master basic knowledge and skills, students may begin arena riding, trail rides and buckaroos (cattle drives).

Ranch Projects

Every week, students help with traditional ranch work, including fixing/building fences, cutting wood, working cattle, harvesting crops, hauling hay, ranch cleanup, community service and other activities. These projects are one of the students' favorite parts of the week because they are active, outdoors and working as a team to complete a project that makes a real difference on the ranch.

Therapy

Because students engage in hands-on learning and overcome challenges throughout the day, therapy occurs around the clock at Turn-About Ranch. There is also time set aside for more formal individual sessions, group therapy and family counseling.

Life Skills

Our vocational program teaches students valuable life skills in the culinary arts, building trades, information technology (computers), animal husbandry, sewing, auto mechanics, gardening and other areas. In addition to learning practical life skills, students may discover a passion that leads to a new educational pursuit or career path.