Sky Ranch for Boys has a long history of providing troubled kids with a fresh start and a second chance. Each generation brings its own special issues and concerns - but the special relationship between boys and the ranch environment has proven to be a powerful and timeless one.
The Original Sky Ranch plane.
The Start In the late 1950s, Father Don Murray found himself looking after a few troubled boys at his rectory in the tiny town of Buffalo, South Dakota.
He used a small plane to travel his large "territory" and soon found it could help him with the boys. Teaching them to fly really changed their outlook. But the priest had a dream and needed a lot of help to make it happen. He found the help, and so did thousands of boys who have been helped since then at Sky Ranch!
The Development Sky Ranch for Boys was incorporated in 1960. At first, the Bishop of Rapid City served as Chairman of the Board. From the start, however, it was agreed by all that the ranch would be non-sectarian, emphasizing the power of spirituality to help people without favoring one religion over another.
By 1963, 3,000 acres of ranchland on the Montana-South Dakota border had been acquired, and the first buildings were going up.
Father Murray and one of the boys died in a tragic 1975 plane accident, but the program continued to grow under his chosen successor, Father Dale Kutil.
In the early 1980s, the first "civilian" executive director, Scott Louks, took the helm, where he continues to this day.
Over the years, more than a dozen permanent buildings were built, the latest being the Bert Nickerson Administration Building in the mid 1990s.
Sky Ranch encourages boys to seek the guidance of a "higher power".
Most boys gain 2 or more years in the academic level of their work during a single year at Sky Ranch!
The Future Sky Ranch for Boys continues to help troubled kids (age 12-17) from all parts of America and plans on doing so for a long time to come! Some of the original buildings are nearing the end of their useful life and planning for rehabilitation or replacement has begun.
Sky Ranch is well known among professionals in the field for an outstanding success rate. More than 90% of boys sent to Sky Ranch successfully complete the program! During a single school year at Sky Ranch, most boys gain 2 or more grade levels in the school work they are able to handle. Many go on to very successful lives in a wide variety of fields.
The program has been enhanced recently by the implementation of a "Corrective Thinking" approach. Boys are held responsible for their errors and taught to think through how to avoid problems in the future. It has been very well received by boys and staff.
Leadership Sky Ranch for Boys is governed by a board of directors comprised mainly of local business and community leaders.
BOARD MEMBERS 2008 Ruth Adams - Buffalo, SD Karen Assman - Pierre, SD Nancy Brady - Rapid City, SD Mike Donohoe - Riverwoods, IL Dennis Kauer - Rapid City, SD Heather Lammers-Bogard - Rapid City, SD Scott Louks - Buffalo, SD Terry Mahan - Lead, SD Gene McCue - Rapid City, SD Rita Thompson - Buffalo, SD Bill Walsh - Deadwood, SD Bob Wilkinson - Buffalo, SD
Executive Director: Jodi Duttenhefer
PLACEMENT INFORMATION It is the policy of Sky Ranch for Boys to hire and provide service to all residents and employees without regard to race, color or national origin. There is no distinction in eligibility for employment or the reception of services provided by or through the auspices of Sky Ranch for Boys. For information on placing a boy at Sky Ranch please click here to visit the Sky Ranch site or click below to send a message to the Sky Ranch staff!
Sky Ranch gives boys many chances to participate in organized sports.
In Memoriam Father Dale Kutil
1946-2005
Father Dale Kutil, former Executive Director of Sky Ranch for Boys (1975-1984) passed away on January 31, 2005 after a long battle with cancer. He began work as a summer counselor at Sky Ranch in 1969. With help from the Sky Ranch Foundation, Father Dale continued graduate studies at Berkeley, California. He was ordained on June 15, 1973. Father Dale served as Executive Director of Sky Ranch for Boys (and Pastor of 5 remote parishes!) till 1984. He remained on staff till 1987, when he was appointed Pastor at a parish in Lemmon, South Dakota. In 1991 he was assigned to St. John the Evangelist church in Fort Pierre where he continued to serve till his death. He was named to the Sky Ranch Hall of Fame in 2002.
