Cross Creek Center for Boys

Location  Cross Creek Center for Boys is an innovative and effective program for boys who are struggling at home, at school, or in the community: it teaches values, integrity, honor, and respect for authority. It helps these young men to become an asset to the community.

Cross Creek Center for Boys also provides an atmosphere for boys struggling with self-esteem and emotional growth. Cross Creek Center for Boys is located near Zion National Park; an area of unbelievable beauty. The boys experience a mixture of the great Southwest and peaceful solitude of the high mountain red rock desert in Southern Utah. The program is a two-hour drive north of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Behavior Modification  High standards exist. Inappropriate behavior is confronted, given consequences, and redirected. The program offers tight supervision around the clock. Each student follows a vigorous daily schedule and a firm set of rules.

A merit system is used, requiring each student to earn his status and privileges through a standard program using a multilevel system based on positive behavior. As students advance, each level offers additional privileges motivating the student to work harder. The program becomes the testing ground to ascertain each students level of commitment toward changing past behavior.

Emotional Growth Courses  Students participate daily in tightly-integrated Emotional Growth and Personal Development Courses. Group feedback sessions are key in this program for developing self-awareness. During these sessions, students begin to open up and to learn to communicate appropriately. It also teaches them what isn't working in their lives. These courses effectively utilize resources such as audio and video tapes, selective reading material, and group feed back sessions.

Activities  On- and off-grounds activities provide a proper balance of recreation, exercise, learning, personal development and social opportunities. Initially, all activities are on grounds. Over a period of time, boys may earn the privilege of participating in off grounds activities. The facility is located in a gorgeous mountain area which is conductive to a number of outdoor activities, such as fishing, hiking, and sightseeing. Other activities include movies, bowling, and cultural events.

Academics  The academic program offers innovative techniques that allow students to maximize the learning process and earn credits. With close support from teacher/tutor, students are able to move effectively through their academic courses. Course credit is based not on time spent in the class, but on mastery of the subject matter. Students are not held back by other teens in the class, lesson plans, teachers, schedules, course offerings, or class availability. The student receives credit when he demonstrates that the subject matter has been mastered. The academic program is a performance-based system. A large selection of required and elective classes is offered.

Students are able to complete required credits--and even earn honors--in Math, English, Science, History, Physical Education, and many elective classes. The student's transcripts are evaluated upon admission to the program, and the student is assisted in designing an ambitious course of study. In order for the student to earn credit for a class and move on to the next course of study, each class must be passed at a level of 80% or better. This means students must earn A's or B's. This requirement ensures that the teen has truly mastered the material before he receives any credit for the class.

Therapy  Therapy is an important part of the program's overall design and process. Students receive one individual session per week with a licensed therapist, and daily group sessions are held to incorporate the emotional growth direction while more fully addressing any unresolved issues from the past. These sessions help facilitate the program's mission of increasing the quality of the students' and parents' lives.

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