At MOUNTAIN HOMES YOUTH RANCH, children can find themselves again through reestablishing important basic principles of behavior in their lives. They will learn to view themselves, their surroundings, and others in a new and different perspective; one in which they will see themselves as valued and meaningful contributors. Our unique approach provides troubled teens with an opportunity to succeed.

The MHYR program is divided into three phases: Beginning, Advanced, and Ranch.

In the Beginning phase, participants learn the interdependency of nature's resources, personal skill and knowledge, and responsible and cooperative behavior for the sustaining of life's basic needs. As participants learn ancient Native American skills using the resources of nature, they begin to develop an awareness of themselves regarding their abilities and the values of cooperation and responsibility to the community in meeting basic life needs.

The Advanced phase of the program continues to place youth in a camping community where everyone shares responsibility for community living equally. Emphasis is placed on the interdependency of community members through using skills learned in the Beginning phase in a cooperative effort to sustain peaceful and productive life in a family setting. Participants continue individual and group counseling as new perspectives on old values and assumptions begin to become internalized.

The Ranch phase of the program emphasizes working with the family group as a unit. The student learns the value of trust & Integrity, and that within the unit each persons actions affect everyone. The skills learned in the first two phases help teach the student independence and leadership, which they utilize in their scholastic venues such as GED, High School and College correspondence courses. This phase participants continue to communicate directly with their parents in a conference call designed to work on communication and integration back into their home environment. During the final two-days of Ranch, parents are given the opportunity to attend the graduation, and parenting seminar and are invited to tour the on-site facilities.

MHYR operates on a Beautiful 15,000 acre working cattle ranch, in northwestern Colorado as well as on inspiring Bureau of Land Management land near the Colorado border in Utah under special permit. This private deeded property has been in this ranching family for four generations. They have carved their homes, and lifestyles out of the rugged high desert mountain estate. Our program operates in co-existence with the operating ranch, and wildlife, such as Deer Elk, and Coyotes. Whether spending time in the high mountain meadows surrounded by the Pine and Aspen forest of summer, or the tan buttes, and Pinion Juniper forest of winter, the students are surrounded by beauty.