The Pintail Youth Ranch program will introduce ranchers to the countless alternative activities the great outdoors has to offer, while bringing them in contact with positive male role models. In doing so, the PYR experience will instill ranchers with values of teamwork, friendship, responsibility and loyalty. The ranch activities will nurture invaluable youth-adult partnerships while cultivating self-esteem, self-worth and the desire to acquire and spread knowledge. Staff and mentors will work closely with the ranchers to instill skills for adolescents preparing for a life of independence.

The TORCH™ program consists of Team building, Outdoor Recreation, Conservation and Helping. Successful implementation of the TORCH™ program will provide a safe atmosphere, which will assist and encourage underprivileged youth in discovering:

• The wonders of the outdoors.
• Positive role models.
• Teamwork, friendship, responsibility and loyalty.
• Self-esteem and self-worth.
• A desire to acquire and spread knowledge.
• An improved quality of life.
• How to be productive, capable and confident participants in life.

Team Building
Team building is accomplished in the spirit of trust, cooperation, respect and common goals. The Pintail Youth Ranch provides a setting for youth to interact and take responsibility for their group. Various activities are designed to compel individuals to be a part of the solution and take ownership of their part. Since everyone needs to communicate for the team to accomplish its goals, the activities are designed to challenge those who are reserved to step forward, those who are inclined to dominate to refrain, and those who are comfortable to improve on their communication and listening skills. The program incorporates activities that possess challenging, noncompetitive & non-threatening methods, which are safe and exciting. It helps participants encourage, not force, each other to become part of the team and to reach past misconceived limitations of both group and self. These ranchers will discover new ways to surmount obstacles and problems, developing a healthier attitude, resulting in more productive and capable youth.

Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor Recreation introduces participants to activities in hunting, fishing, boating, camping, orienteering and a multitude of other outdoor activities. Ranchers learn to safely use rifle, pistol, bow, shotgun and black-powder arms plus field skills and outdoor ethics such as fair chase. These activities encourage participants to move out of their "comfort zone" and offer them a chance to enjoy sporting and lifetime activities that would normally not be afforded them. These recreation activities are arranged on a level system allowing participants to advance from beginning levels to master/instructor status. With this level system participants are encouraged to set individual and group goals enabling them to monitor and discuss their progress, feel a sense of ownership, growth and accomplishment and build self-esteem and confidence. The staff and Outdoor Recreation program offer youth the chance increase their communication skills, enjoy the great outdoors and increase their quality of life.

Conservation
As humans, we have a significant impact on, and responsibility to our environment. Participants will learn through hands-on work, videos and guest speakers about different habitats and plant and animal life. The conservation program is set-up to instill a sense of wonder, responsibility and dedication to our planet's ecology. By learning how to identify and understand the delicate balance each plant and animal has on it's environment and how we as humans affect that balance, participants will learn to preserve the legacy of our planet's natural habitats for future generations.

Helping
Throughout and after their experience at the Pintail Youth Ranch participants will give back to their local community, the state of Texas and the program itself. Through community services projects, restoration of habitats, volunteerism and delivery of outreach programs on conservation, ranchers will develop an understanding and learn the benefits of being community minded.

Any participant who attends the Pintail Youth Ranch will have an opportunity to earn a college scholarship. A clear blueprint for success will be drafted and each participant will have full knowledge of what needs to be accomplished to graduate from the TORCH™ program and earn a college scholarship. Graduates of the program will be encouraged to give back and become volunteers with our organization or others like it. Through the TORCH™ Program, participants will be exposed to careers in related fields such as conservation, wildlife management, parks & recreation, social services and education. Ranchers will complete their journey with a sense of accomplishment and desire to conduct themselves as fair, decent and good mannered men, always a credit to their family, friends and community. Most importantly, they will develop the tools and earn the opportunity to accomplish their dreams.