Pilot Teen Individual Program
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for the Pilot Spring Teen Individual Program!
The Teen Individual Program (TIP) is an extension of our current Individual Program for younger children. It was created to meet the expressed demand for our services by participants who have aged out of our other programs as well as by caregivers of teens with disabilities we’ve encountered through our community outreach efforts.
TIP enables teens with disabilities to participate in animal-assisted and nature-based activities for one hour a week for 6 weeks. This pilot program started in the fall of 2023 and is resuming in the spring of 2024. Each participant is matched with a trained volunteer by the Program Manager. Participants can engage in a variety of hands-on activities designed to match their goals and interests. The program enables teens to gain independence and confidence while performing traditional backyard tasks such as barn chores, gardening, grooming, feeding, and exercising the animals. They also engage in activities designed to cultivate communication, socialization, safety awareness, and most importantly, FUN!
Families work with our Program Manager to set goals and track progress over the term. Each teen works one-on-one with a trained volunteer with the goal of complementing existing therapies and targeting focus areas. Progress reports and individualized goal tracking is provided to families at the end of the term.
The Pilot Teen Individual Program is limited to teenagers with disabilities between the ages of 13 – 16 years old for former Barn participants and 13- 14 years old for new participants to The Barn.
Participants who require a support person at school such as a nurse, PCA, ABA, TSS, etc. to be successful medically or behaviorally must provide a similar support person at The Barn during their TIP sessions.
All participants new to the Teen Individual Program must come in for a tour and a Family Barn Visit with the Program Manager to determine if the program is appropriate, best assess the participants’ needs, and learn more about them to pair them with their volunteer!
For the Spring of 2024 we will run the Pilot Teen Individual Program in two 6-week Sessions:
Session 1: February 26th – April 5th
Session 2: April 15th – May 24th
The Pilot Teen Individual Program will run one day a week (either Tuesdays or Wednesdays depending on the interest) from 2 PM – 6 PM.
Available time slots:
- 2:00 – 3:00 pm
- 2:30 – 3:30 pm
- 3:00 – 4:00 pm
- 3:30 – 4:30 pm
- 4:00 – 5:00 pm
- 4:30 – 5:30 pm
- 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Sign ups are on a first come, first served basis! Acceptance into the program is based on review of the TIP application, a Barn Tour, and an on-site visit at The Barn at Spring Brook Farm with our Program Manager.
Cost for one Teen Individual Program session is $250.
A non-refundable deposit of $50 is due at the time of the application.
Please complete prior to start of the Pilot Teen Individual Program by February 1st:
- Barn Activity Plan (Making sure to only choose 2 – 3 goals to work on)
- Participant Waiver/Hold Harmless (minor) form (e-mail to [email protected] )
- TIP Parent Agreement Form (e-mail to [email protected] )
If you are in need of financial aid for the Individual Program, fill out the 2024 Individual Programs Request for Financial Aid Form.
Tours and more information are available by contacting us.