August 2024 Newsletter
SUMMER OF THE MINI
We served nearly sixty youth this summer at Mini Horse Leadership Camp. Groups of 5-8 youth between ages 9-13 years old showed up early in the morning and spent half a day being taught by our esteemed mini horse faculty, Luna and Pearl. We thank the Mane Mission Ranch for providing such a beautiful place and wonderful animals and Lisa Hutchings for her creativity and management abilities!
This free program teaches youth that they have the power to choose. But for the kids, it’s all about the minis! Who would guess that minis can model safe boundaries on the internet for kids by demonstrating their own need for humans to set boundaries for them? Each youth left with the message that, although mini horses require human help, kids have the power of choice to be connected, healthy, safe and happy!
Click to enlarge and enjoy each of the following photos, taken this summer during this special program!
Here are a few fun video clips showing how the mini horses teach the youth…in this case, how to expend some energy!
PARTNERSHIP POWER
Many of our newest youth mentors are officers and employees from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. We are thrilled with this significant collaboration because of the passion these mentors have toward helping youth in our community. They also have a particular interest in mentoring youth with harder stories, enabling us to reach teens in trouble, who really need what The Aspen Effect has to offer. Listen to Bureau Chief Kevin Duffy share his excitement about this work and our growing partnership.