MANY YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY LACK WORK ETHIC AND THE self-sufficiency to be out on their own and it is creating problems in their lives. As the challenges young teens face increase, caring parents are becoming over-protective of their children and are shielding them from the normal bumps and turns in life that teach kids resiliency to even greater challenges they may face in high school or in years to come. The focus at BCSR is to teach 12-15 year old boys and girls the value of hard work, the ability to face challenges, and the importance of being engaged members of a community.

"We believe Birch Creek Service Ranch is an amazing hidden treasure! Had it not been for the incredible families we knew who had sent their sons--we may have missed it. Our initial concerns in considering this opportunity were many. We worried about the length of time, the integrity of the counselors, the types of youth our son would associate with, and also the fact that he was a great kid so why did he need to go away from home for anything?"

"HOWEVER, it proved to be the single most important 3 1/2 weeks of his life. (both times!) He grew in physical, spiritual, intellectual, and emotional areas that staying home to play more sports and "hang out" with friends could have never offered. Our initial concerns were in vain! In his own words, 'That was SO much better than anything I could have done with my time this summer!' We as parents fully agree. This is a place that attracts good kids and makes them even better! Don't hesitate."

MATT AND ALLISON DRIGGS
Salt Lake City, Utah

"One of the reasons we send our kids, is we want [them] to have the experience of doing hard things that aren't contrived… you go to a youth conference or something, ropes course, trust falls and all that and that's fine that has a place, but it's still contrived, it's still planned specifically. We love for them to go and work really hard and be really worn out and do something that's really tough that they then have something to look at and say, 'I painted that barn, or I dug those ditches' or whatever and I just don't think if you live in the city that you get those kinds of opportunities.″

"One of the other reasons we feel the ranch has been so good for our boys, that I was hoping but I'm now seeing proven, is that I think it's just such great training for missions because you learn how to work with different people… and I love that and how to put in a hard days work and really do what needs to be done."

LISA ADAMS
Salt Lake City, Utah

For more testimonials visit birchcreekblog.blogspot.com