When I was 15 years old in 1984. I was an ward of the courts. And was sent to the ranch in Perkins Oklahoma Where I spend 2 years. My time at the boys ranch was some of the best years of my life. After leaving the ranch I went back home to my family. I graduate from high school and then went on to became a nurse (R.N). Thanks to the Oklahoma Lions Boys Ranch (homestead). Wish I could reconnect with some of the boys I was there with. My name is Allen Matlock. But when I was there I was called Clark my middle name.
BEEN THERE!!! Arrived just 2 days after my 15th birthday as a result of being declared a Ward of The Court in two seperate counties. One of the very first things I was told after I walked in the door was: "No bars and no guards. If you run, When you are caught, your next stop will not be here. You will be taken directly to McAlister State Prison." That kinda got my attention. A few months later, we (I think we had 10 boys at the time) were all loaded into a large van (destination unknown) and taken for a ride because we needed an 'attitude adjustment'. When I saw the sign, my first thot was "what unpardonable sin have I done?" Up until that moment, I had never seen anything or anybody that I was afraid of. When that steel door closed behind us, my heart almost stopped. I lost my voice and for the first time in my life, I was afraid. Afraid that I was going to be left there, and afraid of what those inmates said they would like to do with me. I stayed very close to the Ranch Dad, and made SURE that he knew where I was at all times. The tour lasted about 2-21/2 hours but seemed like much much longer. When we got back in the van, we all counted noses to make sure that everybody was there. On the way back to Perkins, there probably was not a dozen comments and there was not a hint of anything but absolute understanding and desire to stay out of that kind of place, forever! I credit the I.O.A. (Lions suppoted it even way back then) ranch with the opportunity to get my head straight and my 3rd "Second Chance". I stayed there exactly 2 years, leaving 2 days after I turned 17. Because of the guidance and training I received there, I was allowed to join the US Navy and complete a 30+ year career. Things I learned there include, but are not limited to: 1) how to milk a cow (we did 32 head twice a day till we got the pipeline milkers, then went to about 40 cows), 2) 2 inches of ice on a pond is not strong enough to hold up an Allis Chalmers "AC" tractor. 3) Assistant ranch dads do not like to ride on the back of a manure spreader when the governor on the tractor is di-abled, 4) rabbits can change directions faster than a tractor can, and don't roll over as easy. 5) A case tractor can pull a 4 wheel trailor with 102 bales of hay and 5 boys up a hill at about 8 miles an hour, and down that hill at about 60 miles an hour if you take it ouf of gear. 6) When you miss the school bus home, it is a LOOONG walk and nobody does your chores for you. 7) when you deliver a calf, make sure you teach it who is boss because someday they will challenge you for the job 8) Balancing a check-book is a skill EVERBODY needs. 9) The easiest way to find the middle of the pond is mark it before they put the water in it. 10) Cows CAN kick a fly off their ear.
Review from Guidestar