Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch

We are here in Live Oak, Florida for our January project. We can already tell this is going to be a great project! We met our supervisor yesterday and he seems to be a very likeable and fun person to work with. The camping area is quite primitive, even though we have full hookups. As we pulled in yesterday, the maintenance crew was beginning the job of cutting five tall, dead pine trees down so we set up as far from them as possible. As each tree fell, the very loud crash and smash was startling, even though I was watching it. Haha. Our friends, the Thompsons, are due in tomorrow, and they have a 40' fifth wheel. I'm not quite sure how he will be able to maneuver it, but will be interesting to watch. We're very happy with our 28' to say the least.

After getting settled in, we took a little drive around the campus. It is beautiful! This is a picture of the long, tree lined drive in. Out in the pasture you can see a huge Sheriff's badge.

There are actually four ranches located throughout Florida. Each one offers a stable home to needy

kids up to 18 yrs old, and live in what they call cottages or villas with a set of house parents. If a sibling group comes, they keep them together. There are up to ten kids in each house.  These 'cottage parents', as they are called, help each child develop a strong sense of responsibility and respect through the 'work, study, play and pray philosophy. This along with counseling and other services, helps the kids develop strong  values and positive behavior as they become productive young men and women. 

The campus has over 3,000 acres and has its  own school, chapel, gym. If kids are interested, they can participate in working with  horses and cattle, and show in 4H.

We're anxious to get started Monday!