TEEN CENTER

The Ranch Teen Center is the hub for services provided to young people.  The targeted population for 2007 is students and teens, ages 10 to 17, with a focus on after school activities and opportunities for middle school and high school students. 

With over 60 members, we continue to grow and serve more students at the Ranch.  We are adding teen challenge leadership curriculum to provide more opportunities for teens to engage in peer counseling and support.

This past summer, the Teen Center went to Wild Waves, built a waterfall, a gazebo and an Umiaq, constructed a TeePee, learned to weave baskets and paint furniture, played soccer, dodge ball, basketball, and flag football and had competitions in tug-o-war, a pool tournament and countless other fun activitiies.

The Teen Center is offering curriculum for Aylen Middle School in Puyallup during their early release day.  This program will serve student athletes who have no planned activities from 12:30 until 3:00 on Wednesdays, but cannot leave the premises, as well as students interested in spending those two hours a week learning something new, like guitar or dance, or mingling with their friends in a safe and familiar environment. 

After School Program:

A $20 annual membership fee gives teens a safe place to “hang” after school.  At The Ranch, teems choose from a variety of activities, including classes in cheerleading and drum-line classes, blogging, break dancing, hip hop, or even music composition.   Other casual activities are planned by the Ranch staff between class schedules, and the snack bar is open, serving healthy snacks and teen-friendly food. 

 Specialty and Sponsored Programs:

 Wooden Boat Center at The Ranch

We are home to a satellite of Lake Union’s Center for Wooden Boats, providing woodworking and boat building taught by marine experts.  This specialty program is co-sponsored by the Center for Wooden Boats, Foster Parents of Washington (FPAWS) and the GATEWAYS Foundation.  FPAWS identifies foster children who may benefit from the program, and the Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students who wish to enroll and participate in this amazing enrichment opportunity for teens.  The pilot program began in 2006 with a single class of 12 teens and is expected to expand into 2007 to several more classes, serving 24 to 26 students and their families annually. Each class culminates with a celebration and a trip where the teens and their families launch the boat they’ve produced.

Traveling Performance Company

Since opening in 2006, the Ranch Teen Center has offered multiple classes in performance and fine arts enrichment, including acting, dance, music and art.  In 2008, the Ranch will expand on its arts emphasis and introduce it’s second specialty program; Ranch Productions Company.  The production company will provide opportunities for Teens to produce live theatrical performances suitable for traveling to schools, libraries and other venues.

 Community Service:

 Teens in Service to Community is a Dyslin Ranch Teen Center Program that provides opportunities for young people to give back to their community.  The TSC program includes a Teen Leadership Advisory Board to the Dyslin Ranch and offers multiple opportunities for young people in need of community service hours.

 1.  Washington State Education Requirements: Students in high school may be assigned volunteer work at GATEWAYS Dyslin Ranch Teen Center through coordination with the President’s Office to fulfill community service requirements of their graduation portfolio.

2. Court Ordered Service:  Young people who are under court ordered requirements for community service may elect to serve some of their service hours under a outreach and mentorship program at The Dyslin Ranch. 

3. Service Clubs for Teens:  4-H, Girl Scouts and similar organizations work with Teens in Service to Community at the Dyslin Ranch Teen Center to obtain public service hours and fulfill requirements of their service clubs.

Get involved - Volunteer!
There are plenty of opportunities to become involved at GATEWAYS.  Become a member, volunteer to assist or teach in of our programs, become a friend of the GATEWAYS Gardens, or join as a member.

Click here to get a list of contacts within our organization.