The Broken Arrow Youth Ranch held a Cowboy Christmas on December 10. The ranch is located south of Wood Mountain. This open house event drew a sizeable group of about 40 guests to celebrate the Christmas season in southern Saskatchewan ranching style.
There was a warm, family-like atmosphere, Lara Moroz, administrator, described the evening. Since the stormy weather kept activities indoors, “the children attending made tree decorations to take home,” said Moroz.
In the seasonally decorated common room, the guests joined in a program that included carols, music and readings.
There were performances by children and some of the guests. Mark Elford entertained with a set of cowboy Christmas songs. The remainder of the evening allowed for socializing while munching on homemade Christmas baking and hot chocolate, Moroz said. They also went home with a gift of a unique cowboy-themed fence post candle and chokecherry jelly.
The Broken Arrow Youth Ranch was established to minister to families in situations where parents are overwhelmed with personal issues. According to Moroz, the Broken Arrow Youth Ranch works with the whole family to be a support.
The ranch can take in the children for at least a two-year period while parents work towards recovery, and it provides resources and other supports for the parents.
The ranch is a faith-based program run by the Solid Rock Ministries. The children live on a working ranch. The ranch has a capacity for up to eight boys and girls living in a home atmosphere.
The program helps children to learn about God and to love others. They are assigned tasks to learn life skills like discipline and responsibility. They work with the horses, cattle and other animals, which has shown to be very therapeutic.
The ranch offers an equine program where the children can acquire relationship and life skills.
