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Down-to-Earth Boosters
– Experiential Work Related Activities
Down-to-Earth Boosters are programmed activities carried out on a
volunteer basis by clients and are intended to teach the client
practical life skills and build their self-confidence.
They are generally considered task-oriented, but each Booster has a
self-awareness purpose and useful creative element attached to it.
Booster activities are designed to accommodate the client’s level of
abilities, from very simple and repetitive responsibilities to more
advanced activities designed for clients to learn to follow
directions, work safely, identify things that need doing, prioritize
tasks, plan ahead and organize a routine. No matter how simple or
 complex
the activity at the end of the activity the client will have
completed a task and made a discernible accomplishment. Hence,
boosting the spirits and self-image of the client.
Under the supervision of one of our facilitators, clients will be
given exposure to routine practical task-oriented things that we do
on the farm and they will learning things like horse care, hands-on
construction, minor repairs such as mending fences or building
maintenance, how to choose the proper hand tools and how to use
simple tools like hammers and shovels and operate equipment safely.
Some clients may have opportunities to operate smaller equipment
such as a drill or garden tractor. Clients will interact with
animals, including dogs, cats, and horses. They will be mostly
outdoors, breathing fresh air, absorbing the endless wonders and
benefits of nature. |
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outdoor environment can be highly therapeutic. For struggling youth
the Down-to-Earth Boosters Program can be life-changing because it
is learning and accomplishment combined with physical exertion, a
structured daily routine, and interaction with people in a rare set
of circumstances that helps prepare them for successful futures.
Being able to grow a garden or shape pieces of wood into structures
is a meaningful activity as well as an opportunity to learn both a
practical skill and a life skill.
One of the guided activities will be working with wood. Clients
will learn how to create useful things with wood – starting with
simple construction of square box (assembly of pre-cut pieces) to
more complicated pieces such as different shaped boxes with lids,
shelves, or ladders. There will also be opportunities for clients
to engage in the creative aspects of this activity, including design
and finishing the product for use. Clients will be able to see the
products of the labours in use and in some instances may be able to
produce a piece to give to someone else.
Depending on the season and the weather on the day of the session
there will gardening activities – preparing the soil, planting,
weeding, harvesting. Where possible we’ll have the clients eat some
of the produce or feed it to the animals on the farm.
Other Equine Assisted Healing Programs
Professional Development and Team Building Programs
Learn more about the facilitator Life Skills Training. |
