Finding Solutions: Local organization provides teens with a safe space
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - One local organization is giving teens a safe place to come weekly, and they need your help expanding their outreach.
The Old Frontier located in Thomson has been around for 20 years serving teens across the CSRA with outdoor activities and life lessons.
With a pro rodeo coming up, they’re now finding solutions in ways they can continue to grow.
If you’re driving down Old Milledgeville Road, you can’t miss the Old Frontier.
A non-profit organization providing programs for teens.
“What we’ve seen over the last 20 years is so many kids have not been outdoors. So, we use outdoor recreation and outdoor education to lift them to another level with fishing, gem mining, horseback riding, archery and a lot different activities outdoors,” said Chris Smith, board president of the Old Frontier.
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Every Friday night, the old frontier opens their gates to middle and high schoolers.
Smith says they offer a safe space where teens can come and eat, enjoy outdoor activities, and talk about things affecting them.
“We deal with suicidal thoughts, we deal with drugs, alcohol, gang activity, active shooters. We’re always talking about what’s going on in their day-to-day lives. Our teenagers today are facing so much stuff more than we ever have,” said Smith.
The old frontier has hosted a number of rodeos, with one set to take place next month.
The 4th annual Will Smith Memorial Pro Rodeo is named in memory of Smith’s son who died in 2021.
“We are honoring him, his legacy because of the work that he was doing with teenagers, the work he was doing in the rodeo world because he was a previous bull rider. He was always encouraging people anywhere he went.”
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Smith says right now they’re in the middle of building a therapeutic riding facility for kids and adults with disabilities.
Proceeds from the rodeo this and programs for the teens.
“Our goal is to build bunk houses, build a western town so we can house them and do summer long camp and weekend retreats once we get that built,” he said.
You can be a part of helping raise funds for the Old Frontier by going to the rodeo on Oct. 11-12 at their location off Old Milledgeville Road. The gates open at 5 p.m.
About 75 kids from across the CSRA come out to the teen night on Fridays. Parents, you do have to for the teen night in person at their location on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m.
You can learn more about the Old Frontier on their website and on their Facebook.
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