Phase 1

Phase 2

Ozarks Teen ChallengeBoys Academy

PROGRAMGUIDE“Where life transformationHappens”

Ozarks Teen Challenge: Program Guide

By Ozarks Teen Challenge

Designed by Peggy Niebuhr & Wendy Buttacy

© 2014, Ozarks Teen Challenge, Branson West, MO

All rights, including the right of presentation or reproduction in whole or in part in any form, are reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention and all other pertinent conventions, treaties or proclamations.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Ozarks Teen Challenge

For more information contact:

Ozarks Teen ChallengeP.O. BOX 2066Branson West, MO 65737Phone: 417.272-3784

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“Where Life Transformation

Happens”

Welcome to Ozarks Teen Challenge Boys AcademyMichael and Wendy Buttacy, Executive Directors

Here you will find much more than a mere rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation involves restoration to an original state. We at Teen Challenge believe that God has a greater plan for your family. He intends to transform your loved one into the young man that he was created to be. Please browse the pages of this program overview with assurance that there is an answer for your situation. Our hope is that this simple assurance will change your outlook from one of pain and despair to HOPE, and that you’ll consider our program as an agent of blessing to your family.

The Ozarks Teen Challenge Difference

Holding to the same core values, which have made Teen Challenge so effective for over 50 years, we endeavor to facilitate transformation in your loved one’s life. These values are not a simple therapeutic formula for changing him. They are principles, which are centered on communion with the God of transformation. This is fundamental because deep, lasting change comes through a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.

Through structured, daily habits and spiritual nurturing, we intend not only to introduce your loved one to Jesus Christ, but to guide him into true discipleship. As he grows as a disciple, you will begin to see his anger, indifference, and destructive behaviors diminish while his countenance begins to reflect that of Christ.

Whether Ozarks Teen Challenge is your first or your last attempt to resolve his crisis, we are confident in the redemptive, transforming power of God. We trust that He who created your loved on also intends to prosper him.

Contact Us TodayOur Admissions Coordinator, Adam Holderread, would love to talk with you today to assess your family’s needs and to help in any way we can.

Call: 417-272-3784E-mail: admissions@ozarkstc.orgWebsite: www.ozarksteenchallenge.com

Measuring SuccessFollow-up evaluations are conducted with parents up to five years later (including those whose student’s did not complete the program) and those evaluations reveal:

• 83% reported an increase in respect for parents, siblings, & other authority figures

• 77.7% reported an increase in healthy relationships and secured employment

• 69.2% reported a reduction (or elimination) of at risk behaviors

• 69.2% of graduates are currently enrolled in college

Life TransformationUltimately, our success is seen most clearly through the faces and testimonies of our students and families themselves. To hear their testimonies of hope, check-out our website: www.ozarksteenchallenge.com

The following packet is an overview of how we facilitate this life transformation through Christ centered programming.

OurProgramOzarks Teen Challenge Boys Academy is a 15 month program that recognizes the importance of addressing each student’s unique needs. Every aspect of our program: the structure of their day, individualized academic & discipleship tracts, recreation therapy, leadership training, & life skills projects are developed with intentionality, focusing upon your their personal growth and development. The results, speak for themselves:

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Time Event 6:00 a.m. Worship Area Open for Prayer

7:00 a.m. Official Wake-Up

7:30 a.m. Morning Devotions & Prayer

8:00 a.m. Breakfast (Every meal is freshly

prepared on site)

8:30 a.m. Clean-Up & Chores

9:00 a.m. Ozark Boy’s Academy 1st Session

12:00 p.m. Lunch

12:30 p.m. Clean-up & Chores

1:00 p.m. Group & Personal Discipleship Classes

2:45 p.m. Recreation Therapy

5:00 p.m. Dinner

5:30 p.m. Cleanup & Chores

6:30 p.m. Free Session (Students may choose

from a variety of activities to enjoy & relax)

7:30 p.m. Ozark Boy’s Academy 2nd Session &

Parent Phone Calls

9:00 p.m. Prep Time For Lights Out

9:30 p.m. Lights Out

A Typical Day A typical day at Ozarks Teen Challenge consists of a highly structured schedule focused upon building responsibility, punctuality, and consistency in the lives of our students. We encourage the development of personal responsibility by making chores such as: making their beds, cleaning their closets and hanging clothes properly a standard here at Ozarks TC.

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5-PhaseSystem

Phase 1: Finding Personal Value

Students begin to understand their personal value, God’s love for them, and His purpose for their lives. Understanding this value assists them in confronting and managing their emotions, developing greater personal discipline/work ethic, and in taking responsibility for their actions.

Phase 2: Building Relationships

Students deepen their relationships with God, family, friends, and their mentors by finding their identity in Christ and growing in the spiritual disciplines. They learn how to seek reconciliation, set healthy boundaries, and how to develop healthy, trustworthy relationships.

Phase 3: Servant Leadership

Students prepare themselves for future success by developing in servant leadership, personal integrity and faithful obedience. They are also encouraged to find vision and purpose within God’s will for their lives.

Phase 4: Changing Culture

Students learn to maintain and safeguard their faith and integrity within always changing cultural settings by developing a definition of their “new normal” and by becoming positive culture changers.

Phase 5: Transitioning Home

Students prepare for their transition home by setting future career, life, and education goals and discussing expectations, rules, and safeguards alongside their families.

Here at Ozarks Teen Challenge we believe in encouraging students to take ownership of their lives by demonstrating positive spiritual, mental and emotional growth. We focus this growth within phases. As students graduate from one phase to the next, they are rewarded with more personal privileges and responsibilities.

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PersonalityAccountibilityWe believe that learning to take personal responsibility for one’s actions and the consequences of those actions is of vital importance for our student’s current and future success. Just as positive behaviors and proven growth earn our students privileges and phase advancement, negative behaviors result in a restriction of privileges or even a phase reduction.

Accountability StructureIf a staff member witnesses behaviors that warrant some additional accountability, they will fill out a consequence report and notify the student that he is doing so. This report includes a description of the student’s behaviors and what the consequences for those actions will be. Two staff members then sign-off on the report and it is reviewed by our Program Director, to ensure fairness and equality in our accountability process.

The student is then presented with the consequence report. The staff member will explain why he is receiving the report, what is required of him, and the student is then able to sign, as well, agreeing to the outlined accountability. Our staff also discuss with the student why they acted in that way and how they can make better choices in the future.

ConsequencesHere is a list of some of the types of consequences that may be assigned to a student if they demonstrate negative behaviors while in the program:

• Written Character Qualities (i.e. Descriptions of Wisdom, Respect....etc) - Students are required to write out a certain number of copies of these descriptions during their normal recreational/free time. - The Character Quality assigned is correlated with the type of negative behavior that is being addressed.

• Physical Training - Students are assigned additional physical training during their normal recreational/free time (Plenty of water, breaks, and supervision are provided to ensure training is done properly and safely.)

• Loss of Privileges (i.e. off-campus outings & events, and Phase privileges)

• Increased Chore Responsibilities

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AcademicsOzarks Boys Academy is the educational portion of your student’s stay with us. It features:

• Personal One-On-One Tutoring

• Video tutoring

• Fully customizable class curriculum

• Self-Paced Classes

• Year-Round Education

Field TripsEducational field trips to places such as Wilsons Creek Battlefield, the Titanic museum, Table Rock Lake Dam, Army Corps of Engineers and Conservation Fish Hatchery, also serve as a vital part of our students’ education.

Internet/Computer UsageThrough our secure & monitored internet server, our students continue their education with their own personal computers and work spaces without any concern of “extracurricular” internet browsing.

Report CardsFamilies can monitor their student’s progress through the academic portion of their student’s monthly report sent by our Program Director.

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Ozark BoysAcademy

FamilyInvolvement

Parental CommunicationOzarks Teen Challenge strives to keep families informed of every aspect of their student’s progress and care by providing:

• A Parent Contact for Each Family - Bi-Weekly updates from your parent contact• Weekly Phone Calls with Your Student• Regular Letters from and to Home• Detailed Monthly Progress Reports -Behavioral, Spiritual, and Academic Progress is Reported

Pass SchedulePasses are privileges that students earn as they move through their program. These passes aid students and families in the reconciliation process as our students begin to demonstrate responsible choices and personal growth.

• On-Campus Weekend Pass/Family Visit: -At the Completion of Phase 1 of Program• Two Off-Campus Weekend Passes/Family Visits: -During Phase 2 & 3 of Program• Overnight Weedkend Pass/Family Visit: -During Phase 4 of ProgramTwo 4 day• Home Passes/Visits: -During Phase 4 & 5 of Program

Family WeekendsFamily weekends are designed for families to reconnect and work together. We host a formal family weekend once every two months to correspond with our students’ pass schedules. During these weekends you can expect family educational programming and worship services, as well as, time to discuss issues and share growth experiences as a family.

Ozarks Teen Challenge recognizes that parent and family involvement is key to the continued success of our students. Destructive behaviors affect the entire family. We strive to facilitate family reconciliation, healing, and forgiveness as your loved one moves through his program. This is accomplished through regular communication, parent weekends, a structured visit schedule, and by involving families throughout the program.

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DiscipleshipClasses

Group Discipleship ClassesDuring Phase 1-5 of our program, teens participate in Group Discipleship Classes, 1-4 days a week, that teach fundamental truths in several foundational areas. The first area, being classes on spiritual formation, apologetics, basic questions on faith, and salvation. Our group discipleship classes also cover important topics such as: the nature of addiction, understanding and coping with emotions, and confronting the truth. Through these group classes, students begin to understand that God loves and values them, that they were created with purpose and design, and that they are worth more than they ever imagined. By understand this worth and value, students begin to find their motivation and strength for change within Christ.

Personal Discipleship ClassesDuring Phases 2 through 5, your teen will participate in Personal Discipleship Classes, three days a week, tailored specifically to your son’s individual needs and his phase goals. We are able to individualize our Personal Discipleship Classes by creating unique learning contracts for each student as they transition through each phase.

Our contracts involve reading assignments, journaling, workbooks, Bible reading/memorization assignments, and meetings with our Discipleship

Coordinator. Each teen will go through slightly different materials depending upon their unique needs, but all of them are tailored to meet the learning objectives of each phase.

Individual MentoringIndividual mentoring is another foundational piece of our program. Our staff are trained to enter every situation with purpose and intentionality…to seek out mentoring opportunities and to utilize everyday happenings for times to teach and disciple. Students are also able to request additional mentoring meetings with staff members or our Program Manager to seek counsel and wisdom, as times are available.

Additionally, each of our Phase 2 through 5 students, meet weekly with our Discipleship Coordinator or their parent contact to evaluate their learning and to discuss their personal growth. During these sessions, we are able to address the unique spiritual, emotional, and environmental needs of each of our teens.

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Our discipleship classes and personal mentoring sessions are the backbone of our troubled teen rehabilitation program. We know that a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ calls for intentional discipleship. In order answer this call, we utilize quality staff and dedicate time and resources towards creating an environment where mentoring and discipleship are a constant focus. Personal/Group Discipleship

Classes & Individual Mentoring help to facilitate this growth as teens move through our 5 Phase System.

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WildernessTherapy

Recreational SportsTeen boys have seemingly endless amounts of energy. The goal ofour recreational sports program is to help our teens channel this energy in a positive direction while learning team building skills along the way. Our basketball court, weight room, and multi-purpose fields provide the perfect environment for these activities.

Many troubled teens are not on physically healthy life paths, and by participating in sporting activities they can be put on a path toward health and fitness. We teach our students the benefits of eating right and staying physically fit throughout their time with us. By experiencing the challenges of sports, they also learn many life lessons along the way: handling failure, working with others, the value of hard work, and the self-esteem that accomplishing goals can bring.

Camping & HikingLocated on over 200 acres within the Ozark Mountains, our center is the perfect location for numerous camping

and hiking experiences. Our teens are able to experience the beauty of nature and to step away from the busyness of life. We encourage our students to utilize this time to think about where their current life path is leading them and to consider another way. Through devotional times around the campfire and the many talks along the way hiking, we are able to focus these experiences on spiritual growth and development.

FishingLocated within ten miles of Table Rock State Park and the beautiful Table Rock Lake, fishing is a must! Table Rock Lake is a destination that attracts fisherman from all of the country, both professional & recreational alike. Trout fishing along the lake is an opportunity for our students to learn the benefits of patience and strategic thinking. It also provides our staff with plenty of opportunities to connect with our students through positive mentoring relationships.

Our wilderness therapy focuses on your teen’s development as he is exposed to a variety of spiritually, physically, and emotionally challenging experiences. We utilize these experiences to help your teen develop his character, life skills, communication skills, healthy relationship building abilities, and his understanding of how to respect and respond to authority. Our students also learn the value of teamwork, perseverance, and hard work while experiencing success together. Through our wilderness therapy, we take every opportunity to demonstrate the life lessons that can be found in every life experience…both good and bad. Our wilderness-based therapy includes:

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Life SkillsFor Teens

Basic Life SkillsAddiction and defiance oftentimes stunts the normal developmental patterns of growth of a troubled teen. Instead of learning how to care for themselves and for the environment around them, their lives are consumed with how to continue their addictive behavior. Adolescence is meant to be a period of increased independence, competency, and personal responsibility as teens prepare to enter adulthood.

Understanding this developmental need, we at Ozarks Teen Challenge focus on teaching these basic life skills to each of our students from day one. Personal hygiene is encouraged through a structured schedule. Each teen learns to keep his personal space clean and organized. We also rotate our teens through five different life skills teams during their time with us, each with its own responsibility, ranging from cleaning and laundry to cooking and organization. As our students learn to take care of themselves and their environment, they begin to build self-esteem, competency, and an appreciation for the things around them.

Fitness & NutritionTeens who are using drugs or alcohol are damaging their bodies and are not particularly motivated to participate in regular exercise. By participating in our wilderness therapy and physical fitness regimen, students begin to learn how to structure their time to invest in physical fitness. As they begin to see the physical benefits of fitness, our troubled teens are able to build self-esteem while learning positive habits that can last a lifetime.

We also believe in emphasizing a balanced, nutritious diet for our students. Our Kitchen Coordinator works to ensure that our students are given a unique and

balance menu each week. We not only provide a nutritious menu, but we also train our students in how to plan and cook these types of meals for themselves through our kitchen life skills team. Each student learns basic cooking skills, proper portions, and nutritional information.

Volunteerism & Work SkillsLearning basic work skills is also an important part of the development of any teen. One way that we help to prepare our teens for future jobs is to invest in volunteerism within the community. Our teens are able to learn skills for future employment while helping local charities and churches at the same time. These activities range from helping with logistics to serving at banquets or fundraisers. We also take time to teach each of our teens basic maintenance and lawn care skills as special projects arise. By focusing on helping others, learning professionalism, and serving, our students begin to realize their potential to make a positive difference in the world around them while gaining beneficial work skills.

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Missions Trips & Marathon Teams

Missions TripsOne to two times a year, we provide small groups of students opportunities to go on missions trips. We have gone to places overseas, such as Haiti, to support international Teen Challenge centers. As well as, locations here in the United States: West Virginia, California, & New York to name a few.

Our missions trips provide our teens the opportunity to move from the selfishness that addiction breeds, to service and selfless acts of kindness towards others. By allowing our students to serve others through working on special projects and sharing their personal testimonies, they are emboldened in their personal confidence and in their faith.

Half-Marathon TeamsOn July of 2014, two staff members, nine students, and 3 parents set out to accomplish what seemed to be an impossible goal…run & finish a half-marathon together. In November of 2015, they accomplished their goal bycompleting the Bass Pro Half Marathon with

each member finishing in under 2 hours and 25 minutes.

That first team learned the benefits of hard work, dedication, and teamwork. They learned to push past their limits and to rely on others to help them along the way. The esteem built through this experience will last a lifetime. We have continued to offer these experiences two times per year to those student interested in the challenge.

Missions Trips & Marathon Teams are optional opportunities that we make available to our students. These opportunities are not requirements for graduation from our program, but they are highly beneficial to the teens who have the opportunity and desire to participate in them. We recommend that our families consider their teen’s participation as an added opportunity for growth.

Our Hopefor YouOzarks Teen Challenge Parent Letter

Our HOPE for your family comes from our faith in the God of transformation. We pray that your family will soon be able to testify to the freedom He has provided your loved one!

Defiant. Disrespectful. Angry. Irresponsible. Selfish. Arrogant. User. Chaos. This

was Sam in the summer of 2013. Our lives were consumed by trying to tweak the

world to keep our son on the straight and narrow. Just as we had baby-proofed the

house when he started to crawl, our time was spent “Sam proofing” our lives. He

smashed lamps in anger, kicked holes in walls, dented refrigerators and made us

question ourselves. We were frightened out of our mind for him. We had supported him

in all his endeavors 100%. He attended private schools, was a member of a Christian

youth group, attended Christian summer camps, and had private tutors and coaches.

We felt he was given every opportunity to succeed. What had we done wrong?

A few months prior, my daughter and I attended Winter Jam. At the concert, Matthew

West showed a video of the story behind “Hello My Name Is”. The video highlighted the

story of a boy who found himself at Teen Challenge. I didn’t see the young boy, I saw

Sam.

The answers we were looking for came subtly over the next few months. Every time I

drove my car, KLOVE would be playing and Teen Challenge was slowly making its way

into my thoughts. We had tried another rehab the year before with hopes of “fixing” him.

Something truly had to be done, for Sam was headed to either jail or the grave.

By July 4th weekend, things were truly coming to a head. By the magic of GPS, we had

found Sam passed out in his car in a random neighborhood. We struggled to find a way

to reach him. I took a trip to Teen Challenge in Branson, Missouri. I spoke with Derrick,

the intake coordinator, who spoke the words I will never forget. “The only thing that will

change Sam is his heart and I can’t change that, only God can change his heart.”

The morning of July 8, 2013, we arranged for Sam to be picked up. We were

heartbroken, yet relieved. Though we would miss our son terribly, God gave us the

confidence to believe he was in the best place he could be. For the first time in forever,

I could truly embrace this scripture, “And the peace of God, which transcends all

understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

One year later, on July 18, 2014, he had his first home pass after being at Teen

Challenge for one year. It was by no mistake that we were led to Teen Challenge. The

ministry they do on Christ’s behalf shows their true love for their Savior. They share

God’s love by loving lost boys and use His word to change their hearts. I am grateful to

God for answering many prayers and to Teen Challenge for their

self-sacrificing staff.

Positive. God-Loving. Family-Orientated. Motivated. Spiritual. Self-Confident.

Happy. Loving. This is Sam today.

-Teen Challenge Parent