The Ranch
CHILDREN’S CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Since opening in 2006, the Ranch Teen Center has offered multiple classes in performance and fine arts enrichment, including acting, dance, music and art. The Ranch has hosted a number of creative arts programs for children and teens over the past two years. We’ve were lucky to be a satellite site in 2006 and 2007 for Lake Union’s Center for Wooden Boats, providing woodworking and boat building experiences taught by marine experts in an amazing enrichment opportunity for teens. The teens built an Umiaq, a traditional Native American boat, which is on display at the Ranch. The culmination of the first class was a Summer Adventure Camp for teens which focused on native arts and crafts traditions and included an introduction to local tribal history and culture taught through story-telling and complementary hands-on arts activities lead by a tribal shaman.
After School Classes and Summer Day Camps have provided kids and teens with opportunities to learn to draw and paint, make personal wearable art and to design and construct large-scale and 3-D outdoor art projects and to learn creative dramatics, hip-hop, cheerleading, ballet, drums and guitar. In 2007, we expanded our offerings to on-site classes in guitar, hip-hop and crafts at Aylen Jr. High. The Summer 2007 Arts Camp offered arts education to younger children, as well as teens. Our Spring Garden Arts Program was a huge hit in March 2008 with the younger crowd. Ranch Campers took several excursions during the week, including a trip to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and to go skating. Similar arts classes will be introduced during 2008 to support our younger population in the after school and summer arts camp curriculums. In the Summer and Fall of 2008, we’ll be introducing more arts programming, including the Ranch Productions Company. The production company will provide opportunities for young people to produce live theatrical performances suitable for traveling to schools, libraries and other venues.
RANCH YOUTH CENTER
The Ranch is the hub for services provided to young people. 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. The targeted population for the drop in center at the Ranch is students and teens, ages 10 to 17, with a focus on after school activities and opportunities for middle school and high school students. 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 activities.
After School Program:
Monthly membership fees provide teens with access to a safe place to “hang” after school. Casual activities are planned by the Ranch staff for group activities, and the snack bar is open, serving healthy snacks and teen-friendly food. Our specially trained counseling staff not only provides recreational activities as well as supervised time for homework support, they also understand special needs populations that may be referred to the Center. Youth counselors work closely with our therapeutic and educational team to provide youth development activities that are age appropriate and suitable for diverse members with specific interests and additional needs. Application for membership is available online [link to membership application]. If you are interested in enrolling your child in a program, but have questions about the fees, classes, services and staff, please check out our FAQs or contact us at 253.383.4361.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.