Equine assisted learning for grades 4-12
Mission Statement: Country Strong Youth strives to provide equine assisted and other activities
that empower youth and develop resiliency by strengthening communication and coping skills that
lead to emotionally and socially healthy living.
The Country Strong Youth administrators and facilitators invite you to recommend youth who will benefit from Equine Assisted Learning Activities
that empower youth and develop resiliency by strengthening communication and coping skills that
lead to emotionally and socially healthy living.
The Country Strong Youth administrators and facilitators invite you to recommend youth who will benefit from Equine Assisted Learning Activities
Custer County has a program for youth in grades 4 through 12. The program leaders use activities with horses to improve communication and life skills. It is called County Strong Youth and is sponsored by the Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club.
The Country Strong Youth Program works with students in the Equine Assisted Learning and Activities Method. The equine activities are designed to empower students to learn and develop coping skills; creating emotionally and socially healthy young adults.
The equine activities model has proven to be an effective method for helping youth overcome defiance, anger, low-self esteem and mood disorders. It is a focused and intentional approach, producing marked positive results.
We have carefully designed group and individual activities with horses to target issues youth may be facing every day. The exercises are designed to bring about positive changes.
Each activity ends with a processing circle where the students gather with the facilitation team to share something about the experience of the activity. The student is asked to describe from the "I" point of view what they may have observed or felt while participating in the activity.
Activities with the horses take place on the ground; the program is not about riding or training. The horses used int he program are professionally trained for this method; they are respectful and well-mannered. Safety is one of our main concerns in all EEAL activities.
Sessions: Participants meet each Friday for a six consecutive weeks, with a one or two week break between sessions. This is a year round program and students are welcome to join the program at anytime.
Time: 11:00 am to 1:30 pm (Healthy snacks and drinks are provided at each session)
Location: Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club, Westcliffe, outdoor arenas. In cases of inclement weather, the program is held at the Painted View Ranch indoor arena on Hermit Road, Westcliffe.
Transportation: Wet Mountain Valley Rotary Club provides a van driven by trained and certified drivers to transport students. The parent or guardian of students must verify their pick up and return locations. Forms for transportation are provided to the parent or guardian to complete and return.
Fee: There is NO fee to participate in the Country Strong Youth Program (CSY). CSY is funded through grants, foundations, and fund raising. This is a referral based program: participants are referred by a school counselor, social worker, therapist, parent, and/or community health services. This is a volunteer program for participants and they can continue at will. We understand that a student may miss a session. They are welcome to return as soon as they are willing and able.
The Country Strong Youth Program works with students in the Equine Assisted Learning and Activities Method. The equine activities are designed to empower students to learn and develop coping skills; creating emotionally and socially healthy young adults.
The equine activities model has proven to be an effective method for helping youth overcome defiance, anger, low-self esteem and mood disorders. It is a focused and intentional approach, producing marked positive results.
We have carefully designed group and individual activities with horses to target issues youth may be facing every day. The exercises are designed to bring about positive changes.
Each activity ends with a processing circle where the students gather with the facilitation team to share something about the experience of the activity. The student is asked to describe from the "I" point of view what they may have observed or felt while participating in the activity.
Activities with the horses take place on the ground; the program is not about riding or training. The horses used int he program are professionally trained for this method; they are respectful and well-mannered. Safety is one of our main concerns in all EEAL activities.
Sessions: Participants meet each Friday for a six consecutive weeks, with a one or two week break between sessions. This is a year round program and students are welcome to join the program at anytime.
Time: 11:00 am to 1:30 pm (Healthy snacks and drinks are provided at each session)
Location: Wet Mountain Valley Saddle Club, Westcliffe, outdoor arenas. In cases of inclement weather, the program is held at the Painted View Ranch indoor arena on Hermit Road, Westcliffe.
Transportation: Wet Mountain Valley Rotary Club provides a van driven by trained and certified drivers to transport students. The parent or guardian of students must verify their pick up and return locations. Forms for transportation are provided to the parent or guardian to complete and return.
Fee: There is NO fee to participate in the Country Strong Youth Program (CSY). CSY is funded through grants, foundations, and fund raising. This is a referral based program: participants are referred by a school counselor, social worker, therapist, parent, and/or community health services. This is a volunteer program for participants and they can continue at will. We understand that a student may miss a session. They are welcome to return as soon as they are willing and able.
Country Strong Youth meets on Fridays at 11:00, at the WMV Saddle Club
For more information or to register, please contact
Betsy Banks, Facilitator & Grant Writer, 719-330-7127
For more information or to register, please contact
Betsy Banks, Facilitator & Grant Writer, 719-330-7127
