Residential Option

Noble Acres also offers individually designed residential options for teenagers and young adults. Depending on their individual goals and treatment plans, the program may vary from a very structured daily schedule with intensive therapy to more of a mentoring program where the young adults plan their own day while receive support and guidance in managing their time and resources.

Honoring the rich tradition of the West, the adolescents will move through 4 distinct stages that emulate the process immigrants to the "Wild West" went through on their way to becoming full-fledged "Cowboys." As the teens move up through the stages, they will gain freedom and responsibility. They will move closer to becoming adult members of their community. This rite of passage will be discussed and celebrated. Depending on their level of prior treatment and their individual goals, the stages vary significantly in length for each student.

The teens start out as "Immigrants." They will spend their first few days listening, observing, and learning the rules, traditions, and expectations of their new environment. They will have time to think, reflect, journal, and determine goals for their time in the "Wild West." After becoming familiar with the structure of the program and starting to engage in the therapeutic process, the teens can petition to become "Greenhorns" – apprentice cowboys. As Greenhorns, they start to participate more actively in the ranch chores. The adolescents begin to learn that every decision has a consequence; that all their behaviors have immediate as well as long-term effects.
As the teens build relationships with animals and people, they learn skills that can be transferred to other relationships. This is when they move into being a Horseman/Horsewoman – someone who has a strong and trusting bond with a horse. As Horsemen and -women, the adolescents learn to view life from a more balanced perspective. While it is important to learn from the past, especially from past mistakes, it is impossible to be a good horseperson when one is "stuck" in the past. Looking ahead into the future, recognizing danger and obstacles become just as important. Most important, however, is a strong sense of presence in the here-and-now. Relationships and connections happen in the present.

„What I hear I forget, what I see I remember, what I do I understand.“ (Confucius)

Past, present and future are all part of a balanced perspective on life. Many teens are ready to return home from this stage. They have gained insights and skills and have learned how to draw on those in their everyday decision-making.

Some adolescents choose to take on the leadership challenge of becoming a "Cowboy". Cowboys are not only good horsepeople, but they are outstanding leaders in charge of large herds of cattle, horses, Greenhorns, and other animals. Cowboys have learned to delay their own gratification, to teach, and to help others grow. They have managed to put the needs of their herds and their other charges above their own. At the same time, they have learned healthy ways of taking care of themselves and their own needs. They are capable of making solid plans for the future while remaining flexible enough to know that reality does not always follow those plans. Cowboys have achieved a level of maturity on their journey to adulthood that will be honored and celebrated by the other teens and staff.