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In our rural location we have the resources to reconnect children and adults with the natural environment. We can provide opportunities to turn off the static and to once again hear the wind in the trees and touch that which man cannot make or ever totally understand. As research studies are beginning to report, by reconnecting to a world of nature we can thereby reconnect to ourselves as stress levels decrease and emotional healing begins.
This generation of children has moved into a fantasy world of computer and televised action. They watch and desire action but are unable or unwilling to make positive physical activity their reality. At Mystic Mountain we offer individuals high adventure sports that develop skills and positive self image. Yes, there is a place for team building and collaborative activities, but there is also a need to engage in activities that make you reach deep within yourself to accomplish that which you never thought possible.
Many children have lost the ability to dream. We are currently working with homeless children by bringing them out to MMTC this summer to experience the wonder of horses. These children have bought the lie that they can never escape their current circumstances. It is our goal to open up that world of dreams to a new belief system that says your past does not have to dictate your future.
How do you teach children to dream? Our plan is multi-faceted. We believe that without solid basic educational skills of reading and math that a child is forever handicapped. Our future plans envision an after school tutoring program with rewards of individualized attention and love. Adding to the encouragement, would be opportunities to participate in fine arts and drama, nature exploration, involvement with horses in a diversified equestrian program, or participation in a shooting sports program that emphasizes safety and skill. The possibilities are only limited by our imagination.
We envision Mystic Mountain reaching out further to schools and youth organizations for field trips. Educational opportunities for adults through seminars, classes and retreats are limitless. Corporate retreats are a viable option as we have much to offer everyone.
Our biggest vision involves empowering youth to make wise and healthy choices and to thereby build leaders for today and tomorrow. We believe that given the right tools, teens will rise to the occasion. It is our goal to develop an ongoing student internship program with local universities and colleges. In this way we can truly impact the training of the next generation.
It is not by accident that we are located in the middle of nowhere which is really the center of everywhere. Local rural populations in the Waterford, Edinboro, Union City, and Cambridge Springs areas find us easily accessible. Urban populations in Erie and Meadville are only 30 minutes away.
Our name is Mystic Mountain “Training Center”, not camp, ranch or conference center. For whatever the reason, faith based facilities are often considered of lower quality than others. We believe that as a faith based operation our facility and programs must be held to the highest standards. It is our long term goal that Mystic Mountain will one day be the model upon which others are compared. Our Training Center will be an outstanding facility for the training of America’s youth and adult leaders.
The non-profit corporation of Mystic Mountain Training Center is currently located on the private property of Bill and Denise Olczak. The property contains forty acres of fields and forest, 15 horses, barn, outdoor arena, one acre pond, shooting range, small education building, flower gardens, and a large storage building with a classroom/puppet stage upstairs. Our facilities dramatically limit the programming we can do. We are making do with what we have until the time comes when we move into our dream center.
In five years we want to acquire the adjacent 50+ acres of land that will be for sale. It is on the side of the mountain with a gorgeous view of the surrounding valley. Here is where the new Training Center will take shape. The first complex to be constructed will be an earth-bermed and geothermal heated office/conference/classroom/fine arts center. The second complex will house the equestrian program with a barn, indoor arena, and outdoor arenas. A third building will house the shooting sports program of an indoor shooting range and classrooms. Although still very much in the conceptual stage, the environmental program may either be a separate facility or housed in the main building. To our knowledge there are no other facilities of this nature anywhere in the world.
What we envision is a place where people can come, regardless of their economic circumstances, where they can find healing for their wounded spirit and hope for the future. A place where children will build positive life changing memories that will propel them into a future of incredible possibilities. Mystic Mountain Training Center will be a place that reaches out to everyone as we help to build stronger and healthier communities for America’s people.
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