Residents congregate at 8:45 each morning before work begins at 9:00 AM. A short morning gathering ceremony is conducted and teams split up for their various work assignments. Residents are paid for the next 2 hours of work on a scale that reflects their productivity. The pay scale runs from $1.75 per hour to competitive market wage. All residents are re-evaluated every six months and wages adjusted as necessary to reflect growing competence in their work areas.

Following a short break, non-paid activities of the day begin. Lifelong learning is a key ingredient for growth and happiness in any person's life, and activities are chosen that further growth in mind, body and spirit.

Classes and activities involve arts and crafts, cooking classes, trips to the library, shopping, horseback riding lessons, bowling, Bible study, computer classes, chorus, sports and Special Olympics practice, classes in sign language and Spanish, and other subjects. Residents not wishing to participate in any of these activities may select an activity of their choosing or simply opt for a bit of free time.

Residents are encouraged (but never required) to attend the church of their choice. Local congregations have welcomed our residents into a variety of activities and opportunities to participate in the life of the church.

Down Home Ranch is committed to supporting and honoring the religious traditions and preference of every resident.

The Kitchen Manager, working closely with our dietitian consultants, develops a menu of tasty, nutritious meals for the coming week. Residents help prepare a hot lunch daily, served in the Pavilion Dining Room for residents and program staff. We are constantly striving to heighten resident and staff awareness of the importance of nutrition, diet, and exercise. This includes a liberal food budget that encourages the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and lean meats and poultry.

As we move to implement Operation Independence, we will raise our own beef, chicken, and pork, as well as vegetables, herbs, and salad greens. Residents are welcome, but not required, to work in the common garden during activity hours.

Residents exercise in the evenings and in Fun & Fitness three afternoons per week. A beautiful pool is available for swimming laps and our gym features every kind of modern exercise equipment, which includes weight training, treadmills, stationary bikes and an elliptical trainer.

Occasionally a class will decide on a power walk around the Ranch, a two mile hike cross country, where residents may encounter many kinds of Central Texas birds and wildlife.

We are great supporters of Special Olympics, and participate in a wide variety of sports, including golf, kayaking, equestrian, aquatics, track and field, and cycling.

Every other weekend, residents have the option of going to see a movie, and it's rare that a resident does not join enthusiastically in the outing! However, it does happen, and staff is always available to those residents who decide to sit out an activity.

On non-movie weekends residents may attend plays, sporting events, and festivals, or indulge in a favorite Saturday evening activity: karaoke! Many residents just want to "chill" at home after a super busy week.