FAQs

1. OVERVIEW

Whetstone Boys Ranch is committed to the redemption, rehabilitation and restoration of at-risk and troubled boys between the ages of 12 and 17. Whetstone’s 30 years of collective experience working with at-risk youth, and with a variety of residential facilities, provides us with a deep understanding of what it takes to run a successful program.  Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and for 10-12 months, we will provide intentional mentoring, consistent discipline and unconditional love.  Through Christian and licensed counseling/therapy, we address behavioral disorders such as defiance/anger (ODD), hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD), depression and suidical ideation.  Our youth home and boarding school provide a loving and encouraging atmosphere with house parents, teachers, and skilled staff who boldly believe in the power of Jesus Christ to transform the soul.

2. THE BOYS WE SERVE

 

Whetstone serves boys between the ages of 12-17 who have been identified as at risk in their families, communities, and schools. While at risk carries no specific diagnosis, it commonly refers to young men who are under a great deal of stress and have chosen unhealthy coping mechanisms. Many of these young men have been diagnosed with disorders such as ADD, ADHD, ODD, Bi-Polar, etc. Characteristics of the boys we serve could include but are not limited to: beyond parental control, drug or alcohol use, apathetic, disrespectful, truancy, unmotivated, behavior problems, school problems, self-harm, depressed, suicidal ideation, anger, and/or low self esteem.  We are not staffed to treat severe addictions or mental psychosis.

3. LENGTH OF STAY

 

At a minimum, it takes 10 months to complete our program, so we recommend planning for a 10-12 months.  Parents must also make arrangement for 4 weeks of home visitation:  one at Christmas, one in the spring, and two during the summer.  We feel that these times are necessary for your son’s eventual reintegration to your family, and for our staff to conduct training and campus improvements.  NOTE:  If the vacation times are not possible for your family, we are open to discussion.

4. STRUCTURE

 

From the time he wakes up at 6:30 until he turns off his light at 9:30, each boy is given direct care and supervision.  As he advances through our program and demonstrates greater responsibility, he is given a greater freedom; but his time is always managed carefully in order to provide meaningful and therapeutic activity.  Whetstone is not a “lock down facility,” but leaving without permission will be a major violation, and we will work with the proper authorities to provide for their safe return.

5. LOW STAFF RATIO

 

Whetstone’s greatest competitive edge is maintaining a low resident to staff ratio. Understanding the backgrounds of these boys, relationship building will be a key element to their overall therapy. The minimum regulation for residential treatment centers in Missouri calls for a minimum 8:1 ratio. While most centers seek to maximize this number for budgetary purposes, we believe this will dramatically hinder the quality of care for our boys. In contrast, Whetstone is committed to maintaining a 3:1 ratio.

 

6. TYPES OF THERAPY/COUNSELING

 

The basis of our therapy is mentoring – the modeling of positive behaviors within a loving and supportive environment.  Our low staff-to-boy ratio (1:3) allows us to spend quality time with each boy in the schoolroom, in the outdoors, and around the family hearth.  We believe in common sense approaches to problems:  good sleep, healthy food, fresh air, sunshine and lots of exercise.  Beyond this, we will contract and partner with physicians and counseling professionals as needed, within the varied contexts of individual, family and/or group sessions.  Last but not least, we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, through prayer and bible study, to change lives.  At the end of the day, it is God, our Lord and Maker, who understands us better than we understand ourselves.  Whetstone may sow the seed, but God gives the increase.

7. FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

 

God has designed the family, above all things, to provide the basis of our mental, emotional and spiritual health.  It is usually the case, though not always, that a rupture has occurred within the family of a troubled boy.  Death, illness, divorce, abuse and neglect are frequent causes, but whatever the case, it is best if this rupture can be repaired.  To this end, Whetstone hopes to serve as a resource for parents who seek reconciliation with their son, who though he may not know it or admit it now, desires the same.  We hope to facilitate this through a process of family counseling, transparent and regular communication between all stakeholders, supervised visits, and eventually overnight stays.  Over time, through patience and prayer, it is our goal that the family be restored.  Through God, all things are possible.

8. EDUCATION/BOARDING SCHOOL

 

• • Whetstone Boys Ranch offers accredited distance learning through the Lighthouse Christian Academy (LCA), which issues official transcripts and monitors our program on a quarterly basis.  Once a student is enrolled, parents can access student progress and grade reports on line.
  • The curriculum employed by Lighthouse Christian Academy has a 30-year track record of success because it addresses diagnosed gaps in student learning before moving to material that the student is not ready to tackle.  These gaps in learning are often the cause of student failure and eventual misbehavior in the classroom and at home.  When students don’t understand, they often act up instead of admitting they need help.  Whetstone exists to provide this support.
  • Because distance learning is learner-directed instead of lecture-driven, the LCA curriculum encourages goal-setting, self-monitoring, responsibility, integrity and accountability.  These are life-skills that traditional schools don’t have time, resources or inclination to teach. The large class setting can only function on a factory model, without addressing the more important issues of spiritual development and character formation.
  • Lighthouse Christian Academy allows Whetstone the freedom to offer a variety of hands-on and engaging electives during the time available for evening and weekend programming, such as wood-working, land-management, welding, music appreciation and creative writing.  These electives also offer the added benefit of exciting field trip and mentoring opportunities.
  • Year-round schooling in combination with individualized pacing, allows for remediation/credit recovery, as well as the possibility to move ahead.
  • Yet another significant benefit of distance learning through Lighthouse Christian Academy is that students can continue their education from home once they return – thus avoiding re-enrollment in a potentially harmful environment. Students will be familiar with the PACE learning system, which might allow them the opportunity to graduate early.
  • Whetstone Academy is directed by a 15 year veteran of both large public and small Christian schools.  Mr. Liimatta is a National Board Certified Teacher of English, and holds both Kentucky and Missouri certifications to teach English, Social Studies, and Speech/Drama, in grades 6-12.  For 10 years, he taught AP English in a gifted & talented program, along with general classes offered to average and struggling students.  For 5 years, he has been a grader for the AP Literature Exam.  Mr. Liimatta has over a decade of documented success teaching hundreds of students with a wide range of academic, emotional and physical challenges.  He will work with parents, students and schools to establish an appropriate program of studies that will meet the current and future needs of every boy enrolled at Whetstone.
  • For more information about Lighthouse Christian Academy, please click here.

9. SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

 

Boys at Whetstone attend chapel every weekday morning.  In addition, they attend a local church service on Sunday morning.  More significantly, Whetstone’s staff is intentional in their effort to “model the life of Christ” as they interact with each boy.  Spiritual discipleship and mentoring form the core of our program.

10. COMMUNITY SERVICE

 

Following Christ’s example, servant-leadership is our ultimate goal.  Each boy will thus contribute a minimum of six hours of community service per week.  In order to accomplish this, school work is completed in 4 days, allowing one day during each work week for service.

 

11. VOCATIONAL TRAINING

 

Whetstone believes that boys grow best when they are productively engaged in a project, and that mentoring is most effective when they work alongside other men in the accomplishment of a worthy goal.  To this end, boys will gain hands-on experience in the following trades:  fence building/repair, carpentry, welding, leatherwork, gardening, plumbing and minor electrical.

12. CATTLE PROGRAM/HORSEMANSHIP/ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

 

God created an amazing variety of animals for man to admire, nurture and train.  In giving him dominion over them, he have us the opportunity to learn important lessons about ourselves, our world and our relationship with Him.  Whetstone Boys Ranch is committed to providing an animal rich environment that will allow for daily interaction and work-based therapy.

13. OUTDOORSMANSHIP

 

Nature is the best classroom.  Countless lessons about truth, justice, beauty and harmony can be gleaned by simply sitting still long enough to observe the forever constant and constantly changing properties of wind, sky, earth and water.  Our 280 acre ranch, nestled in the Ozark Mountain Region provides awesome and ample opportunity for boys to interact with the Creator of a classroom without walls.

14. ATHLETICS

 

Boys like sports.  Whetstone Boys Ranch will involve boys in a dynamic program of strength and endurance training by engagement in running, weight lifting, team and individual sports such as golf, basketball, walnut tossing and ultimate frisbee.  Beyond mere competition, athletics allow boys the opportunity to learn and practice important life-skills such as self-control, patience, endurance, fortitude, attentiveness and commitment.

15. RECREATION

 

Whetstone was founded upon the belief that boys are designed by God to seek adventure, and to test themselves against nature and other men.  This is simply the way boys are wired.  Our entire program is built around providing such forums for self-improvement.  We are committed to designing a program for your son that includes weekly opportunities for creative projects and skill development.

16. RESTRAINT

 

Our staff is trained in crisis management and de-escalation techniques.  Should the need arise, Whetstone is positioned to enlist the assistance of local juvenile and law enforcement officers.  Our 40 years of combined experience working with boys has equipped us with a variety of formal and informal tools to address these issues when they arise, and more importantly, to prevent them from occurring in the first place.

17. MEDICATION

It is our policy to administer medication if the parents wish, and if it is the recommendation of their family doctor.  Potential reductions in medication, if desired, will only be attempted after consultation with medical/health care professionals.  Having said this, Whetstone believes that full participation in our program will reduce the likelihood that most psychotropic medications will need to be taken long term.

18. AFTER-CARE/TRANSITIONAL SERVICES

Whetstone is not successful if your son is not successful.  Whether this means sending transcripts to high schools, helping him to enlist in the military, preparing for the ACT, or simply keeping in touch on facebook, rest assured that we will be intentional and available when it comes to helping him make a smooth transition.  Through a comprehensive system of therapy that includes consistent accountability and loving guidance, we hope to provide your son with a both a reason and an opportunity for lasting change.  We are optimistic that our biggest problem might be that your son doesn’t want to leave.  With God’s help, Whetstone might just become a home away from home.