Salem4Youth’s educational program is designed to provide both academic, as well as, hands-on vocational instruction. Our vocational program provides learning from real experience and allows the use of all five senses while engaging multiple areas of the brain. Through the varied vocational experiences here on The Ranch, our students are also exposed to potential future career opportunities.
EQUINE
The equine program exists to build relationships with our students while exposing heart issues and ministering to them. That relationship is built through spending time teaching fundamental to intermediate horsemanship skills such as riding, team roping and off campus trail rides. As our students learn to handle these magnificent animals, fear, frustration and communication challenges are exposed. These experiences open the door for our equine staff to intentionally mentor and teach a variety of valuable life skills to these young men while in our care.
WELDING
In this class the sparks fly! Each student will have the opportunity to learn how to weld, both MiG and stick welding under the watchful eye of our instructor. The students enjoy this unique class and several of our former students have decided to pursue a career as a welder.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Our students are provided instruction in photography and have access to a beautiful digital camera to use to capture the beauty of God. Our students also receive instruction in the digital editing of their photos. As with other of Salem’s vocational classes, photography is a unique skill that our students can use the rest of their lives.
WOODWORKING
Salem’s wood shop class is “hands-on.” This class teaches the students the basics of woodworking including the use of both power and hand tools. We serve a creator God. The Bible says we are made in “His image” so we find that the students experience great satisfaction in the creative process that woodworking affords. Students have the opportunity to work on both personal projects as well as projects that will be sold at our Annual Auction each year.
APIARY
Salem maintains an apiary here on campus. Although beekeeping is not an official vocational class, students interested in learning about keeping bees can work with our instructor after school. In the fall our students help with the honey harvest. Salem bottles and makes its honey available for purchase to those who like pure honey.