Learning Center Program
The Creative Writing class is an eight-week curriculum designed to teach writing skills and spark the girls’ continuing interest in reading and writing. Girls experiment with many forms of creative writing such as journaling, poetry, autobiography, and fiction. These classes are taught by visiting authors. Finding one’s voice–literally and figuratively–is intricately linked to the Taking the Reins process. Read from our riders’ journals and see samples of students’ creative writing projects.
We have become acutely aware of the need these girls have for outlets of creative expression, in part due to the lack of art classes available to them in public schools. The Digital Photography class encourages teens to examine the various ways photographs create meaning in our society and encourages them to produce their own images using a digital camera. They also learn to use digital technology to edit and manipulate these images on a computer. Explore our gallery of student’s photos and photography projects.
The Equine Science class introduces teens to science and health concepts, and gives girls an opportunity to apply classroom learning in a practical setting. Girls learn about horse behavior, anatomy, and nutrition, as well as physical fitness and reproduction. The class interacts with horse-care professionals such as veterinarians and farriers to see science in real-life terms. See what girls’ learn and do in equine science class.
The Gardening and Nutrition class promotes healthy living and environmentalism by having the girls grow and tend to an organic garden on the Taking the Reins farm. Girls grow various vegetables and learn how to harvest and transform the crops into delicious and nutritious meals. Tour the garden.