The Kind of Help and Activities that Struggling Boys Need
Pine Mountain Boys Academy (formerly Prayer Mountain Boys Academy) offers life transformation to boys who are struggling with life-impacting behaviors, addictions or attitudes. Our objective is to help teens understand the importance of right relationships and how their actions truly impact those around them. Students repeatedly see the benefits of being part of a church community that loves and supports them. We participate in extra church and youth activities and they develop close relationships with youth pastors and youth leaders. It’s our desire that families see and understand the benefits of belonging to a community that can help them grow. We aren’t meant to do life alone and our teens experience the life changing benefits of these healthy connections.
Our program includes a number of elements, but our overall goal is to see boys prepared to transition successfully back to a normal and healthy lifestyle, whether that be college, ministry or the workforce. Ideally, we want to see every young man following God.
We believe that the development of healthy hobbies, the care of animals, and a focus on education will make a significant difference in the lives of teens who are overcoming life-controlling issues. Our students enjoy nature, animal care, gardening, and all kinds of outdoor and indoor sports as they work on their attitudes and education.
Spiritual Direction and Growth
We have a strongly supportive relationship with a local church, which supports the work and ministry of Pine Mountain and also provides a church home. Boys and staff attend services and participate in missions projects. Boys also work through the Teen Challenge discipleship curriculum as part of the program requirements.
Positive Environment
Positive Peer culture means an environment where making the right choices is accepted and encouraged. Boys who have been “following the wrong crowd” into destructive behaviors instead find themselves pushed by their peers toward responsibility, integrity, and growth. We reward positive choices. Our campus promotes teamwork and accountability among students as well.
Nature Therapy
We take a therapeutic approach that harnesses the healing and restorative power of God’s creation world to promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It involves immersing the boy in natural environments such as forests, parks, gardens, or other natural settings to improve one’s mental health and overall quality of life. Here are some key aspects of nature therapy:
Outdoor Exposure: Nature therapy encourages individuals to spend time outdoors and connect with the natural world. This can include activities like hiking, camping, gardening, or simply sitting in a natural setting.
Mindfulness and Presence: Practitioners of nature therapy often emphasize mindfulness and being fully present in the moment while in nature. This means paying close attention to sensory experiences, such as the sounds, scents, textures, and sights of the natural environment.
Stress Reduction: Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce stress levels. Nature therapy can help lower cortisol (a stress hormone) levels, leading to increased relaxation and a sense of calm.
Improved Mental Health: Nature therapy is often used as a complementary treatment for various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. It can promote emotional well-being and enhance mood.
Physical Health Benefits: Being in nature can also have physical health benefits. It encourages physical activity, which can lead to improved fitness and cardiovascular health.
Overall, nature therapy recognizes the therapeutic potential of the natural world and encourages the boys to engage with it intentionally to enhance their well-being and connection to the environment.
In the outdoors, the boys here especially enjoy:
- Fishing
- Hammock and Tent Camping
- Hiking and Wilderness Exploration
- Archery
- Animal Husbandry
- Gardening and Horticultural Pursuits
Family Restoration
We desire to see families healed and restored. We invite parents to visit with their son on campus every other month. These Family Days give families time to restore relationships within the supportive environment on campus. Parents also have the opportunity to spend time with other parents and with our staff and to receive wise counsel.
Covenant to Our Students
We PLEDGE
To serve every student with Christ-like compassion, respect, and guidance.
We COMMIT
To address the needs of students and to assist them in the development of Godly character.
We DEDICATE
Ourselves to mentor and to nurture meaningful relationships, inspiring hope for the future.
Healthy Futures
We prepare boys for the future, wherever God may lead them next. In addition to accredited high school education, we provide physical exercise and adventure outings filled with life training and mentoring. We help each boy become all that God has created him to be.
