About Resolution Ranch Academy – Cameron
Scott McGarrahan, a former NFL player, founded Resolution Ranch Academy, a 500 acre horse ranch and therapeutic boarding school for troubled boys aged 13 to 17. It’s located just over an hour from Austin in Cameron, Texas, a small town of around 5,000 people, known for its well-preserved historic homes and buildings. The facility provides a structured, supervised, and supportive environment for teens who are suffering from self-harming behaviors such as drug use, defiance, low self-esteem, anger, and a lack of motivation. Boys learn to live and work well with others while taking part in multiple therapeutic and educational offerings, including equine-assisted therapy, clinical counseling, and mentorship. Residents also complete standard school coursework during their six to nine month stay.
The program is based on the “R.A.N.C.H.” philosophy which stands for “recovery and academics through nature, counseling and healing.” The structure is similar to that you’ll find in many alcohol and drug rehab programs and involves five steps. All boys start in the first, introductory level as “ranch hands” while they get their bearings. They then progress to “cattlemen,” at which point they work with therapists and teachers to identify their goals. Once students prove they’re capable of making wise, responsible decisions they advance to “ropers” and take part in more in depth therapy. The next step is “wranglers” where students work on mending fences with family members and others they’ve been at odds with in the past. Finally boys become “cowboys” and work on establishing their path forward.
Working through the steps requires earnest self reflection, responsibility and accountability. Before boys can graduate to the next level, they have to determine they are ready and prove their preparedness to staff and peers.
Many family members and former residents say that, while the program can be extremely challenging, it is effective. Many praise the staff and say they seem to genuinely care for the students.
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