Boys & Girls Town 's certified recreation therapists utilize a variety of programs and group activities to enhance a child's self-esteem and develop positive coping skills and emotional expression. Unlike traditional physical education, Therapeutic Recreation focuses on accomplishing treatment goals and objectives through daily recreational activities.

Therapeutic Recreation begins with a comprehensive assessment conducted with all residents by the director of recreation, who is a certified therapeutic recreational specialist (CTRS). The assessment interview includes questions regarding interests and skills, social interaction, personality, self-esteem and emotional control. Children will then experience a wide variety of year-round activities including intramurals and team sports, initiative and trust activities, relaxation techniques and games, weight training, community outings and community service projects.

School in the Wilderness
The School in the Wilderness program is a one-week summer wilderness retreat which takes place at the Boys & Girls Town Meramec Wilderness Learning Ranch in Steelville, Missouri. This unique program provides educational and therapeutic activities designed to challenge children both physically and mentally. Through this experience each child will have the opportunity to develop positive problem-solving skills, feel a sense of responsibility, increase their confidence and self-esteem, work with a team and build trusting relationships. Activities throughout the week include hiking and navigation, camping, rappelling, fishing, horseback riding, canoeing, arts and crafts, cooking and community service projects. The last day involves an award ceremony to recognize group and individual accomplishments.

Equestrian Therapy
Boys & Girls Town is a pioneer in the use of horses in the treatment of children. The Equestrian Therapy Program is an important enhancement to other residential, educational and therapeutic programs.

Qualified instructors work with groups of eight to twelve children, teaching them the fundamentals of proper animal care and safety. Weekly therapy sessions help these children process the skills and lessons they have learned. After completing their equestrian training, children will have the opportunity to participate in the “Trailride of Triumph,” a three-day trail ride and camping adventure where the children and staff utilize the Meramec Wilderness Learning Ranch in Steelville.

Equestrian Therapy delivers a lifetime of benefits including improved self-confidence, greater patience, emotional control and self-discipline. Participants also learn more about themselves along the way and are often able to express their feelings in ways that traditional therapy can not deliver. The result is that children who have previously known only failure and pain now are able to set aside distrust, anger and defiance and learn to trust adults, their peers and themselves.

Changing Prisms
Changing Prisms is a two-day, task-oriented workshop that provides the young women of Boys & Girls Town with an opportunity to work side-by-side with women who are successful in both their business and personal lives. Throughout the workshop these dynamic women mentors provide support by sharing personal life-changing experiences, help the girls identify anxieties that keep them from being successful in their endeavors and work with them to establish goals that are realistic for them individually.

Mentors and licensed therapists lead 40 girls as they work in small groups to complete a variety of diverse activities that are both intellectually and physically challenging. Because of the intensity of these tasks, the young women experience immediate gratification, improving their confidence and self-esteem and developing positive coping and social skills.