Read more about programs being developed at The Ranch for school age children, middle school children and teenagers.
The Dyslin Ranch - a place for children to belong...
If you haven't been to the ranch in a while, you might notice that things have changed. With an eye to providing more youth development activities for a wider audience in 2006, we offered multiple classes in performance and fine arts enrichment, including acting, dance, music and art.
The Ranch hosted a number of creative arts programs for children and teens over the past three years.
We 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 led by a tribal shaman.
In 2007 and 2008, after-school classes and Summer Day Camps 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. During summer sessions in 2007 and 2008, 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. Starting in May of 2008, Pony Club and Polocrosse clinics, exhibition matches and tournaments added new adventures for teens.
Casual activities were planned by the Ranch counselors for group activities, including preparation of healthy snacks and teen-friendly food. A creative and caring staff is recruited and trained not only to provide recreational activities and supervised time for homework support, but also to understand youth development from a general perspective, as well as for special needs populations that may be referred to the Ranch.
What ever happens next, we will continue to provide youth development activities that are age appropriate and suitable for diverse members, tailored to their specific needs.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in a program now or in the future as we are able to provide more programing or if you 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.
Transition to Licensed After School Program:
With the work required for opening of our Early Childhood Learning Center, the after school program is on hiatus and making a transition to accomodate the new licensed activites. Please stay tuned for future activities.