Service Learning

Building confidence and self-worth through volunteering in the community.

One of the key ingredients to a promising future is a sense of belonging and feeling connected to others and valued for what you have to offer. That’s why volunteering, or what we call service learning, is such an important part of treatment at IYR.

Service learning lets kids experience the satisfaction of making a difference—for some, for the first time in their lives. Our kids spend time every week getting involved in their community through local volunteer projects. It builds confidence and a sense of self-worth—and it's fun!

When we ask current and former IYR graduates what they enjoyed most about their time with us, service learning is always high on the list. (Horses usually get first place!) Some alums come back to visit specifically to take part in whatever service learning activities are currently going on.

For residents, service learning also provides a welcome break in their schedule. As one alumnus put it, “Working on yourself and facing your issues is hard work. It’s nice to get outside and just go rake somebody’s leaves for a while.”

Idaho Youth Ranch partners with local nonprofits and community organizations to create opportunities for service learning such as cleaning up city parks, serving meals to the elderly and home-bound,  packing up donations for the Idaho Foodbank, doing trail work, caring for animals at shelters and clinic, and more. Here is a partial list of our partner organizations, and the list is constantly growing and changing as new volunteer opportunities come up:

• Idaho Foodbank
• Meals on Wheels
• Stables at Mica Meadows
• Land Trust of the Treasure Valley
• Elk’s Club
• Ronald McDonald House
• Idaho Humane Society
• Declo Animal Clinic
• YMCA
• IYR Thrift Stores
• Boise Rescue Mission
• River of Life Men’s Shelter
• Chateau de Boise Retirement Home
• Lake Walcott State Park
• Zoo Boise
• Boy’s and Girl’s Club