Vero Beach Boys Ranch and School
A Christ-centered residential program and school for boys located in Vero Beach, Florida. We believe in the potential within each young man. We use male Christian role models in a one-year process of bringing positive goals and purpose to boys who are struggling with life-controlling issues such as anger, substance abuse, or lack of respect for authority. We believe that the first change is a heart change . . . a knowledge that Jesus Christ has a purpose and a plan for each individual’s life. The therapeutic and academic programs at Vero Beach give “at-risk teenagers” a new perspective and a new start toward a successful and fulfilling life.
Equine Activities
Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” Horses are an important part of our therapeutic program at Vero Beach.
Music is Therapy
Fishing for Serenity
An Ideal Therapeutic Setting for Counseling Teens

Vero Beach Ranch is a boarding school and ranch designed to reach and teach young men. It has a well equipped gym, soccer field, baseball diamond, pool, fishing ponds, and professional fishing boats for frequent fishing trips in the area waterways and ocean. Horses on the property teach boys to care for other living things. They’re ridden and taken care of, and often taken on camping trips. Vero Beach Boys Ranch takes pride in forming strong relationships with each student and much of the life-changing experiences take place while involved in these physical activities.
Boarding School with a Positive Peer Culture

Vero Beach Ranch and School for Boys promotes and cultivates positive peer pressure. Students are given duties to take charge of things and each other, taking turns running work programs and events around the property. Positive peer pressure is infused in nearly everything that takes place on the property. It’s their home away from home, so we want them to be involved in making some decisions, and keeping things orderly, respectful of each other, and upbeat.
Typical Day in Our Therapeutic Program for Boys
Our program has been developed to encourage the student to cope with and master everyday life issues. Students typically rise at 6:00am, clean up, have devotions, and attend periodic chapel services. Boys can eat a lot, so breakfast is one of three healthy meals that are provided daily. After school, every student on the ranch engages in sporting activities. The day normally ends with “lights out” at 10:00pm.



Maynard Sweigard was heavily involved with drugs and alcohol until he attended Teen Challenge. After graduating the program he entered the Teen Challenge Ministry Institute and went on to pastor two churches and served as a jail Chaplain. While in Bible College, Maynard met his future wife, Barbara. They married in May of 1975. Maynard and Barbara have raised two sons, Nathan and Aaron. 