ABOUT US
THE PROGRAM IN A NUTSHELL:
Type of Program: Day Treatment program in a working farm environment with related activities modified to meet the needs of children with moderate to severe learning disabilities, behavioral and psychiatric problems, and/or some physical disabilities.
Participants: Coeducational, ages 5-17
Enrollment: 1 to 3 participants per session.
Program Dates: Year round sessions. Session lengths and programs are customized to the needs of the individual.
Program Director: Mara Miles
LOCATION:
RoundAbout Farm is conveniently located in the rural community of North Yarmouth, 20 minutes from downtown Portland, Maine.
BACKGROUND AND PHILOSOPHY:
RoundAbout Farm is a working farm in miniature. It operates as a therapeutic farm, a rehabilitation facility and a recreational facility. Program participants are involved in daily farm activities which offer opportunities for skill building in multiple areas, occupational training, socialization opportunities, physical training, and recreational experiences. Our goal is to provide a therapeutic environment and experiences which are specifically tailored to the needs of the individual. The programs are designed to help children who have been diagnosed as having moderate to severe learning disabilities, behavioral and psychiatric problems, or physical disabilities.
Because of their unique needs, these children may not be able to participate in after school activities, summer camps, Sunday School and other activities available to other families. Many of these children may have been both frustrated and emotionally damaged by their experiences in traditional classroom and camp settings due to their impulsivity, distractibility or social immaturity. We provide a structured, secure, supportive environment that will foster growth and development in an atmosphere filled with meaningful, fun activities. RoundAbout Farm is a setting in which educational, recreational and social activities have as a primary goal the establishment or reinforcement of feelings of success, confidence, enthusiasm and self-worth within the child. In order to provide continuity with the other therapeutic programming and services the child is involved in, we encourage input from the family and members of the clinical team.
PROGRAM OFFERINGS:
The farm environment provides an almost endless source of programming and tremendous flexibility to continually adapt the program to meet the child’s changing needs. Educational, pre-voc, social and vocational skills can be developed as a stepping stone toward increased self-esteem and greater independence. All activities at RoundAbout Farm are hands on, experiential and process oriented. Individualized programs are often project oriented so that upon completion, the child is reinforced by feelings of success and accomplishment. Projects are selected according to the individual’s ability, interests and goals. Farm weekends offer children the opportunity to participate fully in the farm life in a 24 hour structured environment with supervision. All activities are designed to build skills and increase the individual’s ability to use reasoning and judgement and develop a sense of responsibility in day to day life situations.
Activities may include:
• learning to care for animals;
• planting and tending a garden;
• woodworking;
• building hiking and biking trails;
• cooking;
• horseback riding,
• mountain biking;
• learning camping skills;
• swimming;
• arts and crafts projects.
EXTRA OPPORTUNITIES AND ACTIVITIES:
Specialty programs are available in horsemanship, photography, computer skills, making videos & websites, bicycling and overnight camping.
FACILITIES:
RoundAbout Farm is situated on a dead end road in the rural community of North Yarmouth, Maine. The 20 acres of woods, pasture and trails is an ideal setting for active outdoor activities. The barn houses three horses and several chickens, it is the center of the riding program as well as a bright, cheerful area for other outdoor activities. A fully equipped workshop and crafts area provide ample space for indoor games, crafts and programs on days when the weather is not conducive to outside activities. All the animals are “user friendly” and enjoy children. An extensive trail system with short and long loops over varied terrain provides opportunities to learn about nature and hike and bike in a safe environment. There is a variety of child sized farm/gardening equipment including a small garden tractor and cart available for farm projects and trail clearing.STAFF:
RoundAbout Farm’s staff are carefully selected based on both prior experience in working with a special-needs population and the personality traits that will enable them to provide structure, guidance, and support while exhibiting acceptance and understanding. The Farm’s staffing plan can staff one adult for every child if needed. Although most programs involve one child at a time, programs with up to 3 children may be designed to work on social skills. Speciality programs, depending on individual’s need, may require two or more staff for each participant. Staff working with children are trained to be role models, job coaches, companions and recreation directors. They are actively involved in developing and participating in each child’s program and because of their familiarity with the child and the RoundAbout Farm environment, they can provide the continuity necessary to support and maintain treatment plan goals. Consulting professionals include an education specialist, and an LCSW.For More Information, Contact:
Mara Miles, Program Director
RoundAbout Farm
137 Henry Rd.
North Yarmouth, ME 04097
207 829-6377
Please contact us for references.