Success doesn’t happen overnight. Recovery is possible. These are two important things to remember when embarking on a stay at Rites of Passage NW. A long-term program can seem like a lifetime to a teenager in crisis.
Here we create a plan tailored to each individual teen, and we include different stages of the program that teens can “graduate” from when they have completed. Our first stage, known as Phase 1, can often be the toughest part for a teenager. Being away from home, and being in a new environment with other teenagers can be rough. Being away from drugs and alcohol can also be tough too, and for these teens it was typically a daily habit.
The first phase lasts roughly two weeks, and our teens can get acclimated to the flow of Rites of Passage NW, as well as getting comfortable with the staff and other teens that live here. The schedule can be tough at first. It is rigid and firm – however, we feel that this is part of what helps each teen realize and reach their treatment goals, and still have time to have fun and enjoy the activities that we offer.
What is a typical day like at Rites of Passage NW?
No two days are ever the same here at what we call the ranch. As a working ranch, different work activities are scheduled each day and intermingled with therapy, as well as fun activities and large, hearty meals. Our teens awaken early, and finish off a hearty breakfast. Chores and therapy have their place before and after lunch. Our teens may be cutting wood, harvesting crops, or even helping out and volunteering in the community. Different phases have different responsibilities and tasks as well.
A rough schedule of Phase One looks something similar to this:
Monday-Friday
6:30 AM – 8:00 AM Wake up, breakfast, morning chores
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM School, ranch projects, therapy,meetings, life skills, or resident outing
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM School, ranch projects, therapy,meetings, life skills, or resident outing
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Goals
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Dinner and chores
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM Free time, goals, homework
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM Quiet time
9:30 PM Lights Out
Saturday
6:30 AM – 8:00 AM Wake up, breakfast, morning chores
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Ranch projects, therapy, life skills,meetings, or resident outing
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Ranch projects, therapy, life skills, or resident outing
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Goals
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Dinner and chores
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM Free time, goals, homework
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM Quiet time
9:30 PM Lights Out
Sunday
6:30 AM – 8:00 AM Wake up, breakfast, morning chores
8:00 AM – 11:00 AM Free time
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Free time
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM Dinner and chores
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM Free time
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM Quiet time
9:30 PM Lights Out
During each teen’s stay during Phase One, in addition to staff counselors and therapists, there are other teens appointed to help that have already passed through phases one and two. These teens will help the new “class” of teens get through the rough patches, and get better acclimated to the ranch.
We do teach life skills during our program, including showing our teens educational opportunities, including online classes. This is a long-term program, and we do intend that teens keep up with their education while here. After discharge, an educational consultant is assigned to each teen as a follow-up. During their stay, teens do learn how to participate in all aspects of making a ranch or farm work, and are expected to volunteer in the community, learning valuable leadership and team skills.
