Rehabs for Teens

Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch was the first Teen Challenge rehab for teen boys. It remains a highly staffed, effective, progressive addiction recovery program for boys. While recovering from drugs or alcohol, your boy will continue his education and catch up on or retake educational credits to improve his grades.

Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch is a LegitScript Certified licensed addiction and behavioral recovery facility. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The energetic addiction therapists here encourage the boys to apply appropriate solutions to addiction and other life problems. They endeavor to help troubled boys become mentally sound and drug-free for a lifetime, not just for the short time they are on campus.

If nothing else is working for your boy today, and he is involved in substance abuse, enrolling him in this residential program will help him before he becomes an out-of-control and addicted adult. Our program uses adventure and outings in the wilderness to help provide an atmosphere for change. 

Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch is a dual-diagnosis, licensed addiction recovery licensed facility and therapeutic boarding school helping teenage boys recover from addictions and out-of-control behavior while continuing their education.

Teen addiction recovery services and licensed drug and alcohol addiction counseling are a regular part of this program’s recovery since misbehavior and substance abuse usually go hand in hand. Multiple outcomes studies have proven that this program’s recovery and long-term success rates top the substance abuse recovery industry.

The Facility on Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch

Nestled amidst the breathtaking Ozark Mountains, our expansive 31-acre campus sets the stage for transformative experiences.

At Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch, we believe in actively engaging teenagers in the fullness of life. Our comprehensive program offers thrilling and enriching outdoor adventures, a dynamic ropes course, rigorous physical training, and a vibrant recreational program. These carefully crafted experiences empower young teen boys to build confidence and forge a path toward lifelong success. Our boarding school for troubled youth revolves around an adventure-focused curriculum, both indoors and outdoors.

In the great outdoors, our boys embark on exhilarating pursuits such as horseback riding, camping, backpacking, rappelling, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and spelunking (rock climbing and cave exploration). Moreover, they have the unique opportunity to develop a profound connection with our magnificent equine companions through Equine Therapy. Our students actively participate in basketball games in our state-of-the-art gymnasium, utilize our cutting-edge weight-lifting equipment, and engage in certified CrossFit training exercises.

Adventure-Based Learning is at the heart of our approach, a methodology that emphasizes discovery and experiential education. We encourage our students to confront their personal fears head-on and surpass any preconceived limitations. They are inspired to adopt innovative problem-solving strategies and learn the value of collaboration toward shared objectives.

On our challenging ropes course, our boys discover the essence of teamwork, goal-setting, and perseverance. They hone their communication skills, enhancing their ability to work harmoniously with others. Through this transformative experience, they achieve many therapeutic milestones, including embracing positive risk-taking, cultivating unwavering self-confidence, expanding comfort zones, nurturing leadership skills, conquering fears, and fostering holistic personal and team development.

At the Facility on Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch, we empower young minds to embrace their potential and embark on a transformative journey toward a brighter future.

Rehab for teenage boys with affordable substance recovery and addiction recovery for teenage boys in and around Northwest Arkansas, including Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale in Washington and Benton Counties, Fort Smith in Sebastian County, Tahlequah in Cherokee County, Van Buren and Alma in Crawford County, Sallisaw in Sequoyah County, and Muskogee and Clarksville in Johnson County.

TEEN PROGRAM TESTIMONIES (BOYS AND PARENTS)

“Our son just completed the program on 7/1/17. We can’t begin to express how grateful we are for Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch and how it has impacted our son’s life and ours. He began there as an addict who was defiant and angry. He left as a kind, thoughtful young man to pursue God. We knew that only with God’s help would he be able to turn his life around, so we searched for a Christ-centered recovery facility. The love for God and the focus placed on God at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch by the staff was far greater than we could have imagined. We felt the genuineness of God’s love through each staff member. We give God the glory and pray for His blessings and protection for all of you. We thank you and the entire Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch staff for the difference you have made in our son’s life.”

 — Parents of Resident

Reid started doing drugs at age 13. It didn’t take long for things to fall apart in his life. By age 16, things were so bad with his family and daily life that his parents started looking into Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch. The first day Reid was supposed to be here, he locked himself in his grandparents’ home and refused to come out. Although several hours late, this family refused to give up and finally reached Teen Challenge. Reid completed Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch in August 2015. Before coming to the program, everything in his life was a complete wreck. God has restored it all to Reid! He has a great relationship with his parents and is serving Christ wholeheartedly. Reid joined YWAM (Youth With a Mission) in Kansas City after graduating. He is now overseas, operating on a mission trip. After his time serving in this ministry, he plans to continue in training and become a missionary to the country of Greece.

 — Written by Staff

“Peter was doing all manner of drugs, angry and depressed. He was put on suicide watch on one occasion and attempted to destroy himself with an overdose another time. In late January 2013, Peter tested positive for opiates and THC. We left him at the New Challenge Recovery Center in Morrow, Arkansas, the following Monday. This was one of the more difficult things we have ever done as parents. But in the long run, the best thing we could have ever done for our son. He had a major turnaround two months into the program and was willing to take responsibility for his actions and make the necessary changes. Shortly after, he spontaneously wrapped his arms around his father and told him, ‘Thank you for putting me in Teen Challenge Ranch; it saved my life.’ We honestly did not think we would ever hear those words from his mouth or get a hug from him. Today, Peter is attending classes at the local Community College and getting prepared to attend an outdoor leadership training school in preparation for international work. We love having him home and enjoy every day with our son, who is almost literally ‘returned to life.’ We are convinced he would not be where he is today without his time at Teen Challenge.”

 — Brian and Louise H. (parents)

“Okay, so a year ago on this day is when my life changed. The drugs, the partying, the turning up completely stopped. After arriving at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch, I started adapting to it and saw the staff’s love for the students and thought this Christianity thing was legit, so I gave it a chance and said Yes. That’s all that God needed for me to do before he came into my life, and all the years of searching for this empty void in my heart were finally filled. He saved me. Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch saved my life, and if I didn’t go there, I don’t know where I would be today. Thank the Lord I had a bold Mom and Stepdad who wanted the best for me and cared about me so much to make this hard decision to send their kid here. Thank God and my parents for saving my life, giving me new hope and motivation, and being drug-free.”

 — John

“We needed help for our addicted son. We tried everything we knew to do to no avail. The schools kicked him out, wanting nothing to do with him. His anger and aggression were dominating our home and our lives. We lived in fear of and for him every moment of the day and night. We knew we couldn’t do it without God’s help – but things were worsening. Our first call to Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch rekindled our hope that our son could overcome and that God had a plan. It turns out that the plan was for us to bring our son to Arkansas – twelve hours away. The entire staff, through the Holy Spirit, ministered to our son over the next eleven months. The Reconnect Weekends helped restore our relationship with our son and helped us prepare to have him reunite with the rest of the family. We now have our son back, who was always there – just hidden beneath all the yuck that consumed his life (and ours). The programming works because of the willingness of these special people who allow themselves to be used by God to impact the lives of troubled boys and hurting families. It is a true blessing to have found Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch. They will always be a part of our lives.”

 — Todd L. (parent)

“My son was struggling and spiraling down into the pit no matter how much love and support I tried to give him. He would try one thing after another, trying to make himself feel better about himself and looking to all the wrong people to connect to. I remember something I would say to him over and over again. I would say, ‘I feel like I am the only one trying to get you better! You need to begin to try harder than me.’ I didn’t understand that I could talk and talk, try the same thing repeatedly, and then end up worse than before. My son has found wonderful Christian mentors, advisers, and confidants at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch. He has been put in a place where change and growing deeper in his relationship with the Lord are encouraged and fully available to him. I have told many people that if my son uses this time God has given to him, it will be the greatest time in his life, and we will look back on this knowing that God has caused all things to work for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. God is bringing peace to my son and our home where there has been chaos, comfort where there was much strife.”

 — Paul (parent)

“My youngest son was heavily involved in drugs; he was cooking meth and shooting up and abusing prescription pills, beginning at 14. Ultimately, he ran away and was subsequently found and detained in juvenile jail. I decided I could not give him the help he needed, as hard as it was to admit to myself. I chose to send him to Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch. Taking him, there was what I considered to be the hardest thing I had ever done. Today, he is not the same boy. I will not say he is the same person he was before he started using drugs either because he is so much more now. I used to say thank you profusely to all of the Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch staff for helping him overcome everything. Still, he has been away from Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch for over a year. He continues to grow personally and spiritually, and the Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch staff is no longer there. I have concluded that what the Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch staff did…saved my child from what was sure to be him being dead or in jail by his 18th Birthday. He turns 19 in exactly one week, and I can hardly believe it…for many years, I have heard the phrase, “All things are possible through Christ.” Now when I hear this or say it myself, I believe it. There will never be any words that can express my gratitude to every staff member at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch for having the patience to slowly (and I’m sure at times, it was painful for them because my boy is a very headstrong young man) lead my son back from the dark depths he found himself to be in. But somehow, through their leadership and belief, they did!!!! I thank God daily for leading me to Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch!!!”

 — Shelli O. (Parent)

Joe was adopted at age two by loving parents who sought to raise him with Christian values, but that didn’t stop him from turning to drugs and delinquency. He was in the 7th grade when he started using drugs. It was at this point that his life started going downhill quickly. As his drug use continued, he grew increasingly out of control and frequently ran away from home. Even a near-death accident was not enough to cause him to change his life. His drug usage and running away continued. Joe’s parents asked that he be sent to Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch. The court order was given, and Joe was brought to Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch. It took a while for Joe to embrace Teen Challenge’s help. He ran away during his very first week in the program. Joe tells the story of sitting in the chapel about a week after he was returned to the Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch.

The conviction was heavy on his heart, and he knew something had to change. By the end of that chapel, he was pouring out his heart to God with tears coming down his cheeks. Although Joe’s journey has been filled with difficulty and struggles, he openly shares that God is the only option worth choosing for his life. He knows he no longer wants the destructive energy of drugs he once had. He wants to follow God with all of his heart. God has done a transforming work in Joe’s life. With God’s help, he has learned extraordinary patience and self-control. He has recently begun playing the guitar and is already leading public worship and singing praises to God. After completing Teen Challenge, Joe re-entered public school and joined the soccer team. He continues a drug-free whole life. God’s incredible grace has forever changed this young man’s life.

 — Written by Staff

“Why does God want anything to do with me?” That was the question that Eric struggled with when he thought about everything he had done. Eric began using marijuana and pills in middle school. He eventually progressed to the point that he was taking drugs intravenously. His parents placed him in various detox programs and psychiatric facilities to get him off drugs. Even though Eric’s dad was a police officer, they were at a loss regarding what to do for their son. Eventually, they chose to place Eric at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch. Eric had a difficult beginning at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch. He struggled in this way for the first three months of the program. One day, while Eric was sitting in his room, he realized that he was sick of how he lived. He was tired of hurting his family and of constantly getting into trouble. From then on, he started attending the chapel services at Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch with a different attitude. He started listening to what the speakers were saying and felt God’s Spirit pulling on his heart. He was done doing things his way. He explains that his track “was stupid.” Eric says that he is now much less selfish. He is hungry to serve and appreciates the opportunity to help the tornado victims in Joplin, MO. God has done great work in Eric’s life. Eric says that if he hadn’t come to Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch and found the Lord, he would be in prison or dead today. He is thankful for this new chance at life, especially his new relationship with God.

 — Written by Staff

“It was the best decision we have made in our entire life. Our son’s life was saved from destruction on this earth and for eternity. The education was the finest he could have gotten anywhere. He became a self-disciplined student with motivated study habits and finished with a 3.9 GPA. He now has the desire and compassion to serve in his community and church and tutor and mentor younger kids.” 

 — Parent of Former Student

“We had tried everything we could think of for our troubled son — tough love, Christian counseling, traditional church activities, and homeschooling. But all were to no avail. The program taught John self-control, physical work, teamwork, leadership, and integrity. John received love, discipline, forgiveness, and persistent mentoring from dedicated staff members. It was a God-send for our broken family…restoring our relationship with our son. It is a place of hope, a place of love, and a place of renewal.” 

 — Parent of Former Student  

“Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch saved my son and my whole family. I will praise God every day for your work.” 

 — Parent of Former Student