Improved Life Skills Through The Beartooth MT Ascent Program

Beartooth MT Ascent has highly qualified professional staff who are dedicated to helping every young man overcome the obstacles that stand in their way of living a productive healthy life style. Beartooth MT Ascent is built on the foundations of Mount Carmel Youth Ranch which has over nineteen years of experience in helping at-risk youth. Jerry and Mickey Schneider, The Founders of MTCYR were awarded "Parents of the Year" award in 2002, as well as the distinguished service award from "Who’s Who in America". They were recently awarded the “Fidelity Award” from Catholic Central in Michigan for the unwavering dedication to the Christian/Catholic principles of education of this distinguished private school.

Beartooth MT Ascent's Life Keys Program is very effective in helping the troubled young man grow in confidence and self esteem as he learns that he can achieve and learn with our individule focused independent study program. We provided courses in Communication Skills, Character Develpoment, Abstinence & Healthy Marriage Education using the Excel curriculum from A&M Education partnership. This independent course of study helps every young man grow in a healthy respect for women, improve their relationships with young women in healthy ways, and view their sexuality as a gift to be used only in a lifelong committed marriage relationship. We also address the very serious problem of pornography addiction, which many of the young men who come to Beartooth Mt. Ascent Program struggle with. We give each young man the understanding of how destructive this behavior is to their relationships and how it can very negatively impact their ability to have a healthy happy marriage in the future. We provide a deeper understanding and appreciation for the dignity of every human person and how to cultivate healthy relationships.

During their stay at Beartooth MT Ascent, troubled young men work their way through the program by completing Life Key phases. Each Life Key phase carries certain privileges and responsibilities and attaining the next level soon becomes a goal. Each of the six phases is described below:

Life Key I: Awareness – Wash away an unclean lifestyle

We call the first program phase “awareness”. Before your son can proceed on the journey to secure a better future, he must first recognize the need for change. But this is never quite as automatic and self-evident as it may seem. Often we can become so embedded in the familiar patterns of our lives that we fail to recognize the presence of pain and discomfort – and hence the necessity to change.

The focus during the awareness phase is the washing away of your sons’ unclean and unhealthy lifestyle. Your son will be in an environment that is peaceful and removed from worldly distractions.

The objectives of the “Awareness” phase are as follows:

Body-Physical fitness is built in to the farming and ranching lifestyle. Physical work will play a strong role as we work to build a better work ethic, a healthy body and improve self-esteem.

Mind-Character Virtue education will begin in the awareness program where the young man begins to form new virtues and improve his method of thinking and acting.

Spirit-The young man will be required to participate in the daily prayer, and weekly Mass.

Steps for completion are as follows:

1. Accept and follow the of rules and policies established by BTMA
2. Complete all work and chore assignments
3. Complete all assignments in the Substance Abuse Recovery Program & Life Skills Program
4. Participate in general ranching activities
5. Complete assigned Virtue/Character Education lessons
6. Participate in all Life Coaching and/or counseling opportunities that are offered

Life Key II: Cleansing- Turn from an unhealthy life to a life of forgiveness, sound decisions and hope 

Cleansing- Before your son can fully cultivate the new, he must spend some time in clearing the ground of the old. He needs to neutralize past impurities that could influence or damage fresh growth. We could describe this phase as the incubation period where he can reflect and open up his thought processes before he can welcome the new. To aid your son at this time the beautiful mountains and desert surroundings create an environment of solitude and silence which provides a seedbed for evaluating the need for life changes. During this phase your son will be given guidance and support, from the BTMA Staff. Learning to listen with attentiveness Is also very much a part of this process.

The objectives of the “Cleansing” phase are as follows:

Body-Purification of bad habits requires WORK, thus during this phase there is a great emphasis on building good work habits. This restores the dignity and greatly raises their self-esteem.

Mind- The focus during this phase will be on sound decision-making, understanding the cause and effect of their actions and choices. A moral consience will begin developing and continue to grow in each of the Life Key Phases.

Spirit-Emphasis is placed on forgiveness and rebuilding bridges. During this phase your son can participate with you in family and individual counseling sessions. Family sessions are optional during this phase and are by phone. There will be a continued education and formation in making sound moral decisions and in growing in a relationship with God.

 

 Life Key III: Plan of Action – Building and strengthening a moral foundation and Setting Life Goals: After the muddy waters have cleared and your son has gained greater clarity of vision, he will then be in a position to start thinking about drawing up an action plan for proposed changes. It may very well be provisional, open to revision and alteration, but it is imperative that he engage in the process of goal setting for his future. The Bible states that: “A people without a vision perish.” And so it is with the individual. If we lack clarity on how to achieve our goals, then we are effectively holding ourselves back and missing out on opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment.

During this phase young men find themselves ready to learn new behaviors and attitudes. Your son will learn skills to avoid the captivity of his former lifestyle. The main focus of this phase will be to solidify all virtues learned in the previous phases, with a strong emphasis on building and strengthening a solid moral foundation. They will begin working with the Life Keys program.

The objectives of the “Plan of Action” phase are as follows:

Body-Extended ranch experiences in animal husbandry, machine operations and mechanics (other opportunities may be available depending on the season). The rigors of ranch work will continue to increase your sons strength and endurance to meet lives daily challenges.

Mind-Your son will be given the opportunity to journal daily to increase his focus and awareness. This can be a good way of sustaining your sons enthusiasm and belief in the journey he has embarked on. By now your son may be enrolled in classes that will allow him to complete high school or he may begin college preparatory courses.

Spirit-Through continuous spiritual formation a deeper consciousness of the difference between right and wrong and the clarity and determination to make better choices. Continued growth in their relationship with God and  a greater respect for himself and  others.

 

Life Key IV: Life Purpose- Discovering the meaning and purpose of life and learning to stay strong and resist temptation in the real world
During the  “Life Purpose” phase, young men will have learned the cowboy code of work ethic, respect for self and others and making the right choices. Your son will learn tools to help him resist temptation and succeed in life outside of BTMA. In this phase there will be an increased emphasis on improving family relationship dynamics. The main focus of this phase will be for the young man to discover “WHO AM I” and  “What is the meaning and purpose of my life”.

The objectives of the “Life Purpose” phase are as follows:

Body- Continued development of a diligent work ethic. Developing a deeper respect for every human person, especially women. Continuing to practice self-discipline and control of his body that comes from an understanding of the importance of abstinence from drugs, alcohol and making correct choices in relationships.

Mind- Discovering who he is and what his personal strengths and weaknesses are. Increasing awareness of his gifts and talents.

Spirit-Personal involvement in establishing long-term life goals and the continued development of sound moral character as well as the inner strengths to make these life goals a reality. Continued growth in a personal relationship with God and family.

 

Life Key V: – Examination - Planning for a happy and healthy future

During the “Examination” phase your son will continue his focused attention on making life goals and creating a plan to attain them. When he reaches this point, he will have the tools to analyze his goals and desires and create a plan that will provide him with lifelong stability and happiness. Your son should, by now, be well on his way to becoming a man of integrity. He will continue to develop a life plan that he will share with you and will take with him when he leaves the program. During this time, he will be offered opportunities for meeting 9by phone or in person) with recruiters from colleges, universities, trade schools and the military to help him make future plans. If he will be completing his diploma here, he will be making plans to further his education upon his graduation from BTMA. If he will be completing high school at home, he will be working to develop a plan of success in his school life. We will work with him to develop methods of resisting temptation in his old environment.

The objectives of the “Examination” phase are as follows:

Body- Continued vocational skills development for life long enjoyment and personal growth. Diligence in work and in his education.

Mind - Examine and refine a viable life plan, with a continued focus on the formation of a positive mind set that will aid in the accomplishment of these goals. Refine and strengthen leadership skills

Spirit- Solidify integrity as a permanent life style. Growth in spiritual           life and an attitude of serving others rather than self, this will be   accomplished by serving the other young men by being a sound role model.

 Life Key VI: Perseverance – Sticking to it and Maturing into a Man of Integrity

The final phase is "Perseverance" a term meaning –“steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks”. Your son will continue in a deeper transformation in his habits and in his mind set. He will continue to develop a Life Plan and vocational training. Many young men need the extra time the “Perseverance” phase provides to solidify the lifestyle changes they have committed to.

The objectives of the “Perseverance” phase are as follows:

Body- Continued job skills development for life long enjoyment and  personal growth. Has firmly established the habit of self-motivation and the diligence required to see a task to completion.

Mind-Continue learning life skills and stick to the positive mind set that has been developed. Finalize and follow through with the future plans he has developed in phase V and VI.

Spirit-Solidify integrity as a lifestyle habit. Assist other young men by leading by positive example . Facilitate virtue formation in others. Continued growth in their personal relationship with God and others.

Steps for completion are as follows:

1. Complete acceptance of responsibility of following rules and plocies established by BTMA
2. Complete all work and chore assignments
3. Complete all assignments in the Substance Abuse Recovery Program & Life Skills Program
4. Complete assigned Virtue/Character Education lessons
5. Complete a viable life plan that will be followed after BTMA
6. Exhibit morally sound decision-making abilities
7. Continued Development of leadership capabilities
8. Participate in all Life Coaching and/or counseling opportunities that are offered
9. Participate in all aspects of farm and ranch activities (please refer to the seasonal descriptions of the ranch)

Beartooth MT Ascent- A Life Changing Experience for struggling young men, parents and the entire family.