Still, Monday night had to qualify as eye-opening. That's when 27 boys came through the gates. They came from Eldorado, some of the 416 children from the polygamous compound of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
"These circumstances are extraordinary, I would say," said Dan Adams, president and CEO of Boys Ranch. "These children are coming in under a very difficult situation."
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services officials removed the 416 children from the polygamous compound in the wake of charges of sexual and other physical abuse. Adams agreed to accept 27 teen boys for at least temporary care.
"It's security for the children," Adams said. "We're providing basic care - clothing, food, shelter and activity. That's what we do at Boys Ranch. What I can tell you is we would have not done this if we felt like it was an inappropriate fit. This is atypical, but it is in keeping with what we do."
Boys Ranch, located 35 miles northwest of Amarillo, provides basic care residential programs and services for at-risk boys and girls from across the United States. Approximately 250 children, ages 5 to 18, are housed in the 28 group homes. Founded in 1939, Boys Ranch is a self-contained campus that includes its own school district, chapel, medical facilities, post office, bank, sports fields and homes.
The religious training is non-denominational Christian. Residents attend chapel services Sunday morning and a wide range of religious activities are available throughout the week on a voluntary basis.
"Right now, we have kids from 27 different states, kids from Los Angeles to Brooklyn," Adams said. "We're used to dealing with cultural variations. The bottom line is kids are kids. We don't normally plan for this kind of contingency, but if it fell outside of our skill set, I would not have done it."
No one knows for sure how long or how many of the 27 will be at Boys Ranch. That could be decided on Thursday.
That's when one of the biggest child-custody cases in U.S. history will be heard in San Angelo. Approximately 350 lawyers from across Texas are representing pro-bono the 416 children - which includes the Boys Ranch 27 - against charges from state officials that they were physically and sexually abused. DFPS officials want them put in foster care or put up for adoption.
"We understand there are some unknowns and we are ready to take care of them as long as is appropriate and required," Adams said. "It's pretty complex."
