The Summit Ranch

12/17/2025

It's 6:45pm on Christmas Eve. Your kid seemed "fine" all day. But now they're in the car sobbing. Or screaming. Or completely shut down.

Here's what "fine" actually looked like from inside their head:

Lights too bright. TV too loud. Someone's perfume burning their nose. Sitting on a scratchy couch while everyone watched them open gifts. Making their face do the "grateful" thing. Smiling through "how's school" when their brain was screaming to talk about axolotls instead.
By the time they got to the car? Nothing left.

That meltdown isn't bad behavior. It's a nervous system that held on as long as it could.
New on the blog: why holidays are so hard for neurodivergent kids, and what's actually happening in their brain when they "fall apart."

Read the blog here: summitranch.org/blog/why-the-holidays-can-feel-so-hard-for-neurodivergent-kids-and-what-actually-helps

11/06/2025

It's 4:15pm and your kid just screamed at you about snacks.

This is the cortisol crash.

Your kid held it together all day at school. Followed rules. Stayed quiet. Managed transitions. Kept their body regulated.

Then they walk in the door and completely fall apart over something tiny.

Here's what's happening:
Cortisol (your body's stress hormone) builds all day. Masking, socializing, sitting still, following instructions — all of it requires regulation energy.

When they get home, that cortisol drops fast. And the crash feels awful. Irritable, emotional, exhausted, hungry, overstimulated, ready to explode.

They're not trying to ruin your afternoon. Their nervous system just spent 7 hours in overdrive.

What actually helps:

Buffer time. Don't ask about their day or start homework right away.
Protein snack. Blood sugar + cortisol crash = meltdown fuel.
Low-demand activities. Screen time, quiet space, movement, whatever helps them decompress.
Your calm. They're borrowing your regulation right now.

What doesn't help:

"Did you have a good day?"
Jumping straight into demands (homework, chores, activities)
"Why are you acting like this?"

The after-school crash is biology, not attitude.
Your kid isn't broken. The world just isn't built for their nervous system.

11/04/2025

Meet our three new kittens (and help us name them)!!

Last month we lost Brad, one of our program cats. He was spunky, loved attention, and connected with a lot of kids over the past two years.

These three are still learning the ropes, but they're already doing important work — teaching kids about gentle hands, patience, and how animals respond when you're calm vs. when you're worked up.

They need names. Drop your suggestions in the comments

11/04/2025

🍂 Want to know the secret to getting kids excited about vegetables?
Let them cook with you.

Summit Ranch is partnering with K-State Research and Extension to bring you Harvest Bites—a family cooking class designed to make seasonal cooking fun, educational, and totally doable.
No cooking experience needed. Just bring curiosity and an appetite!

What makes this class special:
✨ Research-backed recipes and techniques from K-State
✨ Age-appropriate tasks so everyone contributes
✨ Simple seasonal recipes you'll actually make at home
✨ Expert tips for less-stressful cooking time
✨ Fresh, local Kansas ingredients

Details:
📅 Friday, November 15th
⏰ 1.5 hours of hands-on learning
📍 Summit Ranch, 18555 Johnson Drive, Shawnee
💵 $35 per adult/child pair (ages 8+)
🎓 Presented by K-State Research and Extension + Summit Ranch

You'll leave with new skills and maybe even a kid who asks to help with dinner. 😊

Limited spots available! Register now:

Give your child the tools to thrive with hands-on classes at Summit Ranch. From life skills and executive function to mindfulness and creative expression, our engaging, nature-based classes help kids and teens build confidence, focus, and independence—all while having fun in a supportive environme...

11/03/2025

10/11/2025

Changing how we talk about dyslexia starts in classrooms, at home, and in everyday moments 📚 Join our Dyslexia Support Group on October 14 at 5PM to see how small encouragements make a big impact.

10/09/2025

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. This month, we’re shining a light on dyslexia and how understanding makes a difference 💜 Join our next Dyslexia Support Group on October 14 at 5pm to start that conversation!

10/02/2025

Summit Ranch is looking for a dependable, animal-loving person to step in when our Barn Manager or weekend staff are unavailable. This is an on-call, as-needed role—perfect for someone with animal care experience who’s flexible and values meaningful work.

Hours & Pay
• Saturdays, Sundays, and some holidays: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (holiday pay included)
• Weekday evenings: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. (some flexibility available)
• $19/hour
• You’ll be contacted at least 3 days in advance if your help is needed

Responsibilities
• Feed animals and refresh water
• Clean stalls, pens, and surrounding barn areas
• Maintain barn cleanliness and safety
• Perform other upkeep tasks as needed

Requirements
• 18 years or older
• Experience working with or around animals, including large animals (horses)
• Able to lift up to 30 pounds
• Reliable, communicative, and attentive
• Genuine love of animals and commitment to their care

How to Apply
Please contact Jordanne Ehrhart at info@summitranch.org and include your resume.

10/01/2025

When the world feels heavy, grounding ourselves in the earth can be a gentle way back to hope. 🌿 At Summit Ranch, we see every day how nature supports connection, resilience, and healing. 💛 Help is available 24/7. Dial or text 988 to connect with the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

09/23/2025

Bringing hope and connection to the community 💜 Stop by our table and be part of the conversation.

09/23/2025

You don’t need to have all the answers to make a difference 💜 These 5 steps can help you support a child, teen, or any person in crisis.

09/18/2025

📣 Now Hiring: Executive Function Coach / Therapist
(1099 – KS Licensed)

Summit Ranch is a nonprofit in Shawnee, KS offering nature-based mental health services for kids and teens ages 8–18. We combine clinical therapy, executive function coaching, and experiential learning to help neurodivergent youth build confidence, focus, and emotional regulation in a setting that feels safe, fun, and full of possibility.

We’re currently seeking a part-time Executive Function Coach/Therapist to join our collaborative, neurodiversity-affirming team. This is a 1099 contractor role working with children and teens in both 1:1 and group formats.

🗓 Schedule:
Mondays + Tuesdays, 11am–7pm (in person in Shawnee)
Training provided outside of client-facing hours

✅ Must have:
Kansas clinical or educational license (e.g., LPC, LMSW, OT, SLP, etc.)
3+ years’ experience with youth and families
Strong rapport-building skills with neurodivergent clients
Comfort with treatment planning and documentation

💵 Pay begins at $39/hour, based on experience.

📨 To apply, please email info@summitranch.org
c/o Jordanne Ehrhart

Include your resume and three professional references. See the full job description at: https://summitranch.org/careers