Free Parenting and Mental Health Resources

			
							As an employee, Meramec Adventure Ranch is a great place to work. The staff help guide and teach visitors young and old how to embrace their strengths and grow in capabilities. They are there for each individual visitor and how they can make a difference in their lives.			

				Danielle Retkowski			

			 11/25/2024
			
							We love Meramec Adventure Ranch and all the staff! My son has attended 3 past years of summer camp and has grown substantially from all of the experiences. He has made lifelong friends, improved his self esteem, and was challenged in a supportive way to step out of his comfort zone. We couldn’t have asked for a better experience and caring staff!			

				Melissa Bagnall			

			 11/23/2024
			
							Meramec Adventure is a great place! I have been there on a few different occasions over the years. The most recent one was for the egg scramble over the summer. My 8 year old daughter and I enjoyed it so much. The staff were so nice and Friendly. I highly recommend this place! 🙂			

				Jessica Callahan			

			 11/23/2024
			
							I worked at Meramac adventure ranch and it was an amazing experience. Not only did I get to work with foster children, but I also was able to experience an immense amount of personal growth.			

				Caroline Stearns			

			 11/23/2024
			
							I have worked with this ranch for 22 years. I have watched it evolve to what it is today. Out of all of our programs, I have to say this is my favorite. Simply because, we spend months coaching, convincing, and trying to really get our clients to see what we see. In a short time, this program is able to take our clients and give them space and encouragement to conquer some difficult tasks, of which they believe they cannot. You actively see immediate change in a client. Clients come in thinking they cannot accomplish something, or do not have any faith in themselves. This program helps them see what we spend so much time trying to get the client to see in themselves. They help clients conquer their fear of horses, heights, swimming, survival skills, camping, ect. and something clicks that if they can do these things they can surely start to conquer some of the trauma they have endured. They gain confidence and belief in themselves and see that no matter what, they can be successful and can overcome the rough patches they have went through. This program will forever be one of my favorites for its ability to quickly show a client they can do whatever they set their minds to! Thank you Kassey, Brett, Dena, and the rest of the crew, for everything you do to make this program successful!!!!			

				Beth Anderson			

			 11/21/2024
			
							Meramec Adventure Ranch is one of the most influential and holistic experiences I have ever had the privilege to both attend as a WWP Veteran participant (2023) and volunteer for (2024). Both the directors (Brett and Kassey) and the Guides have given me hope and very wonderful memories. I actually have courage to face tomorrows unknowns and recognize life’s evidence that anything’s possible. The Ranch made me feel safe and I was able to connect with people that valued me. I miss them very much and surely I desire to be inspiring like both Brett, Kassey, Puffs and Gator. Thank you Meramec for loving and treating me (Iraq War 2003 Vet) Like I matter. It’s my favorite place on earth. Love you guys!!			

				J Dag			

			 11/21/2024
			
							I was able to work at the ranch for the summer and had a great time! The activities are so fun and the people you get to work with are great! It was special to be able to work with a population that many people forget about and provide them with fun activities that built self-efficacy.			

				Faith Bair			

			 11/21/2024
			
							As a therapeutic foster home provider, I very much appreciated the case manager coming to our home weekly for our level B kid. She was great for advice, finding supports, and encouraging the youth to do her best.			

				Linda Weatherford			

			 11/21/2024
			
							My daughter has had multiple wonderful experiences at "Da Ranch". The staff is amazing and compassionate and extremely friendly. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a exceptional adventure.			

				Elfie Tolly			

			 11/21/2024
			
							Outstanding experience for kids. Great team building experiences and education. I would recommend this place for everyone, young and old.			

				Michael Ross			

			 11/21/2024
			
							I absolutely love kvc! They have been such a big help with a smoother transition with my babies! Darian is a blessing to our family!!!!			

				Lexi			

			 11/21/2024
			
							I stayed here with my son in 2022 and now I work here. Great place to get help and an even better place to work for!			

				Kim Hill			

			 11/21/2024
			
							Meramec Adventure Ranch is a wonderful place filled with even better staff! You’ll find peace & serenity here!			

				Kristen Miller			

			 11/21/2024
			
							Very clean and Organized! I love working for this company!			

				Jerrica Royer			

			 11/21/2024
			
							Caring staff, special student needs being met.			

				Dr. Pamela L Dawson			

			 11/21/2024
			
				Tina Downing			

			 11/21/2024
			
							It’s an awesome place for kids to work on treatments			

				virgil greene			

			 11/19/2024
			
				Amber Laurent			

			 11/19/2024
			
							I am not an employee, staff, or affiliate of KVC. I am a mom. My child needed mental health services, and KVC did an amazing job aiding and assisting child. Everyone we encountered there was so kind and comforting. Very thankful for them			

				Precious Samone			

			 11/18/2024
			
				Dr. Pamela L Dawson			

			 11/18/2024
			
				Amanda Everson			

			 11/18/2024
			
				Jessica Elliott			

			 11/18/2024
			
							I have never met more kind, and passionate individuals that care about what they do! They are always working hard to advocate for the victims and families they serve. It is always a pleasure to work with them.			

				Amy Turner			

			 11/14/2024
			
							KVC is an incredible agency that helps survivors and their families cope with traumas imposed upon them. We appreciate their advocacy in our community!			

				Amanda Gowen			

			 11/14/2024
			
							This company is willing to work with you. When they put a child in your care, they help you in any way they can. They treat their foster family with love and care as well as respect.			

				Laura Waite			

			 11/07/2024
			
							Awesome place with all kinds of adventure and fun stuff to do. Awesome staff, friendly, motivated and fun. Todd really goes above and beyond to instruct and challenge you.			

				k m			

			 8/27/2024
			
							My granddaughter spent 5 days She really enjoyed being there with others her own age, to have fun experience life as a military kid.			

				Jacquelyn “SexyJ” Thompkins			

			 7/23/2024
			
							As a former employee, I would say that this has been one of the best jobs that I have ever had. The amount of connections, friends, and experiences I have had at the Springfield campus has influenced me to continue my education to continue working with behavioral health children. The staff do their best to provide as much love, attention, and care to the residents as possible while also providing them with continuous and meaningful therapeutic interventions (including set standards of care, activities, exercise, outings, and more). The attention and patience needed to be a staff member in a residential campus takes guts and it teaches you about yourself and others. If you enjoy working with children and setting and a positive example, and are good with therapeutic interventions and creating meaningful connections for children in need, then I highly recommend becoming a full-time or part-staff member in one of the cottages. There are tough days, or even tough weeks, but then some days that even staff have so much fun and you see the growth in the children you’re caring for. You see them become who they are meant to be, and that will always be the goal of staff members at KVC.			

				Lillie K			

			 4/19/2024
			
				Kimberly Davis			

			 4/05/2024
			
				Ryan Stewart			

			 3/21/2024
			
							I was in great circle from 7 to 18.. the staff there are amazing and very friendly. Highly recommend taking a group of people here			

				Amber Willis			

			 3/07/2024
			
							All the supervisors care a lot for the kids and are very grateful for all the staff that give their time to work.			

				Sam Simril			

			 3/07/2024
			
							Great place for children !			

				Scieneaux Jarmon			

			 3/07/2024
			
							Making a difference			

				Justin Levine			

			 3/07/2024
			
				mardwell dorsey			

			 3/07/2024
			
							Wonderful staff there to help make sure everyone knows what needs to be done. Very patient and caring. A must do for your group.			

				Tony Epperson			

			 6/25/2023
			
							My family of three has been attending a 14-week family parenting class at KVC Niles. We have enjoyed every week, and the teachers, Shelby, Nikki, and Lydia, are excellent!			

				Deana W			

			 5/25/2023
			
							I really enjoy the services offered here and the staff has always been so nice and helpful to us.			

				Vicky B			

			 4/25/2023
			
							The staff and services at KVC Niles have always been excellent dealing with children.			

				Earl Isaac			

			 4/25/2023
			
							It helped my daughter out a lot, but they need to be more careful how to handle a hold because she did get some bruises down there during her treatment because of the holds a few times I was very worried about her safety there because of the holds			

				Tammy Thacker			

			 3/25/2023
			
							Colombia mo great circle has helped me alot they helped me learn new ways to cope with things thank y'all so much for everything			

				Shelly Mcdonald			

			 12/25/2022
			
				Kayla Arnott			

			 12/25/2022
			
				Lonnie Durham			

			 12/25/2022
			
							Working in the OFRC (Darr Cottage) has been the best experience in my life. Being able to come and be there for the kiddos that have no one has put a sense of purpose in my life. Management has also been a dream! I have never worked anywhere that has listened, changed, and praised me until I worked here! It can be a stressful job but the work is worth it! Staff have each others back and upper management is always willing to help and not leave their staff high and dry! I would definitely recommend checking it out!			

				Darren Proctor			

			 10/25/2022
			
				Sheree Whiting			

			 10/25/2022
			
							When I moved to Missouri from Texas, I wasn’t looking for this job. A cousin worked there and roped me into applying and interviewing. At the end of the interview, the interviewer said “I want you for this job, if you want it. Do you want to work here?” I did! I started as a Youth Care Specialist in the OFRC—the emergency shelter—which is entirely different from the residential cottages. I did that for 1.5 years before becoming the Empowering Youth Coordinator for another 1.5 years, doing case management for the homeless youth in the shelter. I’ve worked a lot of places and working for Great Circle in the OFRC under Holly’s leadership is in my top 2 jobs I’ve ever had. I no longer work there as I became a Residence Director at a local university, but I still point my social work and behavioral sciences students in the direction of the Ozark Family Resource Center. The job is not easy by any means, and I don’t think the hardest emotionally intense jobs can adequately pay its employees, but the work, the team, and the kids are worth it. I’m forever grateful for my time here.			

				Charis Musick			

			 9/25/2022
			
							My 13 year old girls went here for a week long overnight camp with the Air Force. They absolutely loved it! They were encouraged to come out of their shells so to speak. They tried new things they got taught how to cook outside ride horses and be in a team environment. They made lifelong goals and bonds That they will remember forever. The best part they do it without electronics all week! It was my 1st time letting them do something like this for a week They don't even want them or the parents calling unless absolutely necessary (which was tough but awesome) I was very proud of the girls for accomplishing the week on their own. I think this staff is incredible and very knowledgeable I was hesitant because one of my daughters is on the spectrum but they were very Kind and encouraging to her as well and comforting to me because they also have a week long camp for kids with autism. I highly recommend Meramec adventure camp			

				Mommy			

			 9/25/2022
			
							I worked at the Emergency Shelter (Darr Cottage) on the Springfield, MO Campus. I was only there a couple months before I moved away but in the short time I was there I can strongly say that working in the Darr Cottage at Great Circle was the BEST job I had in the 6 years I worked with kids in Springfield. The co-workers in this particular cottage are some of the friendliest and supportive people you could ask for in work partners and the management is AMAZING! If you are interested in a job at Great Circle on the Springfield Campus.. Go for the Darr Cottage and you wont regret it.			

				Jacob Fricke			

			 9/25/2022
			
							First off let me just say as a former employee this was by far one of the best jobs I’ve ever had!!! The OFRC is a great experience for anyone wanting to work with kids and make a difference. The management there is wonderful!! I’ve never work for a company and the boss actually goes to bat for the employees and actually listens to the employees. My experience at Great Circle working at the OFRC has been nothing but amazing and makes me sad for leaving… but if you want to work with kids and actually make a difference that’s where you should go!!!!			

				Ebony Haase			

			 9/25/2022
			
							I worked at the Emergency Shelter (Darr Cottage) at Great Circle for a little less than a year as a Youth Care Specialist and absolutely loved my experience there. Management is amazing and my co-workers were as well. Though this job can be difficult at times, the positive & fun environment that this cottage strives to uphold makes these times absolutely worth it. It was such a rewarding job to have. I am proud to say that I once worked here! Highly recommend choosing Darr Cottage (the Emergency Shelter) at Great Circle in Springfield, MO.			

				Celina Mueller			

			 9/25/2022
			
							This service has been a blessing we are working through alot of things with our children, and the therapist we have been seeing has been very supportive for all of us. I'm sorry other people had an unsatisfactory experience.			

				Samuel Stanley			

			 9/25/2022
			
							Great place to work. I am in the emergency shelter and it’s such a rewarding atmosphere. Management is awesome and my co-workers have each other’s backs.			

				Colten Harrison			

			 9/25/2022
			
							Great Circle has been an exceptional place to work. The Administrative Staff care about their employees, and it feels as though they genuinely care about their staff. Working with kids has been a very fulfilling experience. Yes, it can definitely be difficult at times, but considering the population we work with, that is to be expected. I believe that the interactions between staff and the residents here have been able to help me in many areas of my life, as well as help prepare me for being a parent to my own daughter. If you are looking to send your child here, just know that we as the staff that work with them one on one really do care about these kids. We do what we can to help make sure their needs are met, while at the same time working to correct their behavior in a way that respects their trauma. Yes, we do have fun, because that is an important part of any treatment plan. If you can’t learn how to have fun, you’ll likely go back to the lifestyle that brought them here in the first place!			

				Indie Outlaw			

			 9/25/2021
			
							We got a placement through them. They were professional, nice to work with and communicated well. Our placement ended up moving with family. We got another placement and started working a different fostering agency. I did not like the new agency as much. I miss working with Great Circle..			

				Britney King			

			 9/25/2021
			
							Helped me a lot although I suggest making sure your kid is not put in the cottage called “Touts” because it smells like piss in there kids are bad and staff are mean but other than that this place is great and helped me a lot and took me off of unnecessary medication			

				Satino			

			 9/25/2021
			
							The involvement with KVC Niles is Life changing. We Encourage those who has a heart to serve, connect with the Niles Leadership Team for direction. You’ll not only impact a life, your life will be impacted as well! Making Lives Better! Eric & Tonya Groves			

				Eric Groves			

			 9/25/2021
			
							Incredible school. Every interaction I’ve had with this very talented staff has exceeded my expectations when it comes to patience and professionalism. You can tell they really care about their students and they love what they do!			

				Bret Nelson			

			 9/25/2021
			
							Niles has a great and therapeutic day treatment school. You can see that the teachers truly care about the students and want to make learning fun.			

				Ann Gleason			

			 9/25/2021
			
				Ryan Ratzlaff			

			 9/25/2021
			
				gacha_wolfie Wolfie army			

			 9/25/2021
			
				aaron thakker			

			 9/25/2021
			
				laura henderson			

			 9/25/2021
			
							Dom has grown up with MLAR. He enjoys it every summer when he attends the week for students with Autism. He looks forward to it every year. He excels and reaches new heights every year. Last year he finally completed the high ropes course and he still talks about it. We love it and will be sad when he can no longer attend because he aged out.			

				Sally Kemper			

			 9/25/2020
			
							I was there at Saint James Great Circle for a long time. They helped me so much. This is an amazing place. It helped me realize that there's people out In the world who really care about the well being of you.			

				Ashley Bardin			

			 9/25/2020
			
							5t6			

				Cheryl Rusche			

			 9/25/2020
			
				Ryder Fosse			

			 9/25/2020
			
				Nicole Holman			

			 9/25/2020
			
				Emily Geisert			

			 9/25/2020
			
							the best ranch i have ever been too i do not want to come here again i have been here for 6 years i will never forget this expiriance i love the staff and this place is the best ranch better than camp lakewood by far everything is great here love you guys hope you love my review			

				Devlin McCoy			

			 9/25/2019
			
							My son has attended camp there for years!! Beyond amazing experience for him, great job!! Kind and compassionate folks💙			

				Terry Mueller			

			 9/25/2019
			
							I going to love that new school niles.			

				Chanel Strothers			

			 9/25/2019
			
							I miss great circle so much.			

				Chanel Strothers			

			 9/25/2019
			
							eef			

				Alastair DeWeese			

			 9/25/2019
			
				Jennifer Newman			

			 9/25/2019
			
							The Great Circle has really impacted my life and I’m so grateful I came across them.			

				laurel			

			 9/25/2018
			
							Fast paced job! I work with awesome people who really care about what they do.			

				Jessica luster			

			 9/25/2018
			
							Learned so much from here			

				Fuzxguys 2333			

			 9/25/2018
			
				Shamone Hill			

			 9/25/2018
			
				delores briscoe			

			 9/25/2018
			
				Marcus Cole			

			 9/25/2018
			
							I was one of the kids that was in residential in springfield mo great circle and i went to there on the Arkansas trip i really miss the staff there and hopefully they will remember my name but this is my name Hunter Scott i really loved that place and hopfully i can come and visit sometime			

				Fazbear's Crew			

			 9/25/2017
			
							loved it would highly reccomend			

				Dakota Potts			

			 9/25/2017
			
				wendy			

			 9/25/2017
			
							We took a group of 20+ students to the ranch. Immediately, the staff reminded me of good feelings and memories from summer camps. The staff we worked with, Ryan, Hannah, Abby and Poncho were great! They were very serious about their work, the safety of everyone and definitely made the students feel welcome and supported. The Ranch has a challenge by choice ethos and there are plenty of challenges to various degrees. Staff members were also great in encouraging our group members to challenge themselves and push past what they think they can do. The activities our group took part in were the high ropes course, team building on the lake and a reflective session at the lodge. Everything was clean and neat. The water in the lake felt great once you adjusted to it. The ropes course was a challenge but I always felt safe. The lodge was BEAUTIFUL. Sitting on the deck in the Adirondack chairs was incredibly relaxing. I highly recommend you consider taking a group to this facility.			

				Geoffrey Reid			

			 9/25/2015
			
							Beautiful views, great facilities, and wonderful people.			

				Mike Nerland			

			 9/25/2015
			
							Sweet			

				RJ Burrus			

			 9/25/2015
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