The Leadership Laboratory
The Leadership Ranch is not only a fun and effective place for groups to learn and enjoy, it is also an ongoing laboratory for human group behavior.
The Leadership Ranch was created because ropes challenge courses are an excellent way to address group dynamic issues such as communication, trust, personal effectiveness, achievement, enjoyment, and leadership. As more groups participated in our programs we saw these issues addressed, along with positive effects on the people - adults and children - who participated. We were convinced but could it be tangibly proven; can we acquire hard evidence? How can we objectively know if our programs are effective? Can we contribute to the growing body of knowledge on training and creating positive human behavior and interaction?
With the background of Daniel Goleman's Working with Emotional Intelligence, and Why We Do What We Do by Edward Deci (major sources for all our programs); the assistance of Statistical Psychologist and Missouri State University Professor Dr. Chantel Levesque; local education professionals and behavioral education in mind; we developed a statistical study program.
For this study three Springfield Missouri public schools were involved. Fairbanks was the control school and recieved no services (they got a complimentary day at the Ranch after the study). Westport was the lowest level intervention school and recieved a "free" half hour, in school visit from Tim Eberlee for each grade level. "Free" or noncontingent in our study means that the students did not have to earn the privilege of attending. Attendance was not contingent on behavior.
Weaver Elementary School recieved weekly half hour class visits from Mr. Eberle. The class consisted of a 15-20 minute behavioral lesson reviewing concepts like communication, empathy, leadership and best effort; and 10-15 minutes of natural or animal science activities. The behavioral Lessons were noncontingent or "free". The animal part had to be earned. If a student failed to earn the second half of the class they had to wait outside the classroom. The earned component consisted of good school citizenship and completing their homework. After six weeks of classes a field trip to the Ranch was awarded to the students who earned it. After three more weeks all the students were eligable to earn a trip to the Ranch.
All three schools were given tests at the begining and end of the program. Weaver took a mid-test after six weeks of the nine week study. The tests consisted of a behavioral checklist completed by each teacher. This was a subjective instrument where scores were based on the teacher's observations.
Some of these results are below. Contact us and we will be glad to review the specifics of our findings and discuss other studies and methods to further this discussion.
We are developing new studies to see how The Ranch and our groups are doing. New and different elements are constantly added to our portable and Ranch programs in our quest to create a more powerful, effervescent and worthwhile experience. You are invited to join the inquiry. In the 21st century, where world wide communication is more accessible and more complex than ever in human history, this is our mission.
