Return to Freedom conducts group programs specially designed for children, teens and youth at risk.

A large part of Return to Freedom's educational efforts focus on programs for young people. They are our future and they deserve our best.

We work with a variety of youth groups and organizations to create experiences that can last a life time. Specialized programs have been developed for youth at risk and victims of domestic violence as well as programs that focus on the arts and creative expression.

Our dedicated team of Youth Program Advisors can assist you to develop unique programs that are specially tailored to meet the special needs and objectives of your group.

Each program focuses on the natural order of communication and social structure. These are powerful tools that demonstrate the qualities of leadership, integrity, trust and community that can form effortlessly within any society.

Children’s Living History Tours:

Through stories, games, and interactions with Return to Freedom’s horses, these tours will focus on herd behavior and general horse knowledge. A visit with “Spirit,” the horse who inspired the Dream Works animated movie, is included. Suggested donation of $20 per adult, $10 for children under 12. Please check our calendar for dates and times.

Youth Month:

August is Youth Month! All of our programs, tours, and clinics will be geared specifically towards children. We will also have a youth volunteer day where young people can lend a hand on projects around the ranch. On this day, kids will work during the day, get a special tour of the wild horse sanctuary in the evening, then camp overnight at the wild horse sanctuary! The next morning we will interact with a few special horses at Return to Freedom, and express our creativity, by painting ponies with non-toxic paints. Tours are a suggested donation of $20/adult, $10/child. Please check our calendar for dates and times.

A Kid’s Day at the Ranch:

Children ages 8-12 are encouraged to come to Return to Freedom and learn about the day to day operations involved with managing a ranch! We will meet at noon for lunch under the oak trees and a short talk about caring for the animals at Return to Freedom. After lunch, we’ll work with some of the animals – grooming, medicating, and cleaning. We’ll also help the ranch hands to feed all 200 horses and burros! A short walk into the hills concludes the day. Bring a sack lunch. Suggested donation of $25 per participant. Please check our calendar for dates and times.

Youth Volunteer Work Weekends:

Join the staff at RTF as we push up our sleeves and tackle various projects around the ranch. Arrive early Saturday morning. We’ll work all day, set up camp in the afternoon, and go for a hike into the hills to visit the herds in the evening. When the sun sets, we’ll share stories and dinner around the campfire. Sunday morning, participants break down camp and head back home. Please check our calendar for dates and times.

Programs for Youth at Risk

Many of the young people that come to Return to freedom live in the inner city, far from the joys of open spaces and green grass. By interacting with horses and with one another in a natural environment, young people learn compassion and stewardship for all living creatures that share our precious planet.

Programs for Creative Expression

Other programs, developed in conjunction with our advisory board and partners, involve creative learning tools that include visual and performing arts. Young people from a variety of different cultures are invited to the American Wild Horse Sanctuary for one-day and weekend retreats. Through the day, the youth are taught leadership skills, while using art and music to empower their experience and positive expression.

To Set Up a Program

To design a program or retreat for the young people that you work with, please contact us. We'll be happy to hear from you.

Our Partners

Return to Freedom is proud to have provided programs for a variety of organizations such as

• World Trust Foundation Valley Village, CA
• Peace4Kids Long Beach, CA
• Child Abuse Listening & Mediation (CALM), Santa Maria, CA
• Boys and Girls Clubs of America
• Sweeney Youth Homes, Goleta, CA

Our Youth Program Advisors

We invite you to meet the dedicated team of men and women who facilitate the youth programs at Return to Freedom.

Diana DeMayo
Diana received a B.F.A. in Drama from the North Carolina School of the Arts. She has been a youth counselor and taught dance and drama at Wesleyan University's Center for Creative Youth Program (CT), and a founding member of the Mojo Ensemble (Los Angeles). Diana is spearheading the Return to Freedom Youth program, where youth from all backgrounds can experience and embrace their own creativity through the arts and nature.

Jane Berryhill
Jane holds a PH.D. in Behavioral Physiology, a B.S. in Psychology and a masters in clinical counseling. Using biofeedback, relaxation training and music therapy, Jane has counseled victims of domestic violence, substance abuse, schizophrenia and other disorders. She has created interactive software programs for children teaching behavioral self-management skills since 1999. She has taught courses for children and family groups in how to manage their physiology and increase their intuitive skills, following the software program Master-Quest.

Mary Petrie
Mary’s love of horses began at a young age, riding and competing in many disciplines. A graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, Mary went on to do her graduate studies at the American Film Institute and is now an accomplished screenwriter, poet and proud mother of twins! Mary brings her expertise as counselor, poet and dramatic writer to the youth program.

Babatunde Folayemi
Babatunde is currently a City Councilman in Santa Barbara, CA. Prior to that position he was Executive Director of The Santa Barbara Pro-Youth Coalition, a community-based initiative to end gang violence. His work in this area has earned him nation-wide acclaim.

Clifford Berrien Music Teacher
Clifford is currently completing his degree in Music therapy from the University of Arizona. Following his early studies in trumpet and bass, he went on to learn percussion from master African drummer Tony Duncansen. Clifford has enjoyed a playing career that has included jazz, reggae, rock, latin and world music. He is happy to share his talents and experiences with the Return to Freedom Youth Program.

Dannielle Isabelle Berrien Counselor
Dannielle received her degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Vermont. She is currently completing her Master degree in counseling from the University of Arizona. Danielle’s experience began with her work in the Peace Corps.

Annette Romano Drama and Yoga Instructor
Annette Romano began teaching drama/writing classes to teenagers in the fall of 2000, serving a year-long artist-in-residency at the Street Kids’ School at the Orion Center in Seattle. She currently teaches yoga to people of all ages and backgrounds, and has created and maintains a highly successful teen yoga program at Seattle’s Juvenile Detention Center. Annette attended North Carolina School of the Arts, and the University of Washington. Her dream is to work with youth, particularly the disadvantaged, and to help them discover their unique voices.