For 60 years, Cookson Hills has provided ministry to children by offering home, school, and therapy. Meanwhile, over the past 30 years, Cookson Hills has focused greatly on improving the quality of living conditions and programs offered at the main unit in Kansas, Oklahoma. This focus started with the accreditation of our high school in 1984. It has gone on to see our first-ever capital campaign, building 12 new homes, a dining hall, and an educational facility. This is the story of Cookson Hills from 1980 through 2017.
General highlights from the 1980s included adding a Library Media Center to the school with the first computers, installing a swimming pool on the 80 property, and building a 10-unit apartment building for “Grandparents” and other staff members. Additionally, Cookson Hills constructed a new gymnasium at the top of the hill. It was the first building on what is now known as “the Hilltop.”
The 80s saw a few bumps in the road as well. For instance, the original clothing store burned down, massive flooding caused substantial damage to the Hollow, and satellite units began to enter the refinement period. For more information on the satellite units and their closures, please refer to Part II of our history series.
From the very beginning, Cookson Hills wanted to provide an education to all its students. However, from 1965 through 1984, high school students had to attend school at Kansas High School. Finally, in 1984 Cookson Hills High School achieved state accreditation credentials and students were able to enroll. Meanwhile, USDA regulations began to change around the nation. This made it no longer financially responsible for Cookson Hills to maintain our own herd of cattle, dairy barn, chickens, and butcher shop.
From 1985-2013, one of the most enjoyable experiences for staff and students alike was Wilderness Camp. This typically occurred in the back of the 1000 acres. It included high and low ropes courses, tent camping, and praise and worship times on “Chapel Hill”. Each year new physical challenges were added. Some of these included a zip line, two-line bridge, screamer, scum pond, and climbing wall. One year the groups even rappelled down the water tower! In addition, one challenge was to build rafts to float and clean up the Illinois River. Physical activities always had a spiritual application. Subsequently, this emphasis on spiritual well-being in the 80s was completely intentional as the heart and motto of Cookson was “Saving America’s Youth.”
Students from Cookson Hills took home a national Bible Bowl championship in 1990. Additionally, Basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams won their state championships throughout the 1990s. Family reunification and equine programs were started, creating a foundation for expanded therapeutic services in the years to come.
In 1990, donors sent in one million Campbell’s soup labels. Subsequently, this equipped the ministry with a new 15 passenger van.
In 1995, improving the quality and infrastructure of the campus gained major effort and emphasis. During that time, Cookson Hills built a new administrative office along Highway 10. All “big houses” received central heating/air units, and many buildings got a facelift with new vinyl siding. In addition, two childcare homes were built and occupied. Permanent housing was built to replace many of the mobile homes that housed staff.
The early 2000s saw two state-level wins in volleyball and two in track & field! Our newly formed football team also took home two state championships in 2011 and 2012!
In 2000, cooksonhills.org was established. This prepared Cookson Hills for a move into the future of technology. That same year, the school classrooms were wired for internet access so that teachers could utilize this technology with their students.
In 2007, Cookson Hills completed the construction of the Family Training Center. This included stables, an indoor arena, a covered round pen, and a family counseling area. Therefore, this provided a centralized location for equine-assisted behavioral counseling for students and their families. As the family reunification and therapy programs began to take off at Cookson Hills, the motto became, “Providing Help, Hope, and Healing.”
Cookson Hills began their first-ever capital campaign, Building on a Legacy of Love, in 2011 with the goal of raising 14 million dollars for new facilities on the Hilltop. This included a new state-of-the-art school for 1st grade-12th grade, a new dining hall, and 12 new child care homes which would replace the homes that had been used for 50 years. Supporters from all over the nation raised the funds for this project from 2011-2017. Subsequently, over 3000 volunteers and 150 churches from 15 states participated in the construction projects.
In 2013, Cookson Hills Christian School received accreditation by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Also during this year, Cookson received the Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Award for Youth Development.
By 2017, the new “big houses” opened up on the hilltop. This left the “80” property unused. Efforts to sell the property fell through. Leadership didn’t want the buildings to just sit gathering dust so they decided that the property should continue in Kingdom Work. In June of 2017, Cookson Hills gave the 80 area to a Tulsa-based non-profit. Consequently, this organization is doing uncharted work for God’s Kingdom.
Cookson Hills Today
Just like always, kids start their life at Cookson Hills by becoming part of a family. They move into a home with married houseparents and up to nine brothers and sisters. Kids receive love from their houseparents that they may have never felt before. In other words, a healthy family, where each child is a valued member, is the best place to learn how to cooperate, love, and respect others.
In short, learning happens everywhere at Cookson Hills; around the dinner table, while doing chores, at therapy, while making friends, and at school. All the adults here work towards a common goal. We want to see kids heal and achieve their goals so that they can go on to lead healthy lives. A beautiful part of life at Cookson Hills is the integrated approach that assures kids don’t slip through the cracks. Today, Cookson Hills focuses on what they do best. Which is, providing a home, a school, and therapy for kids who are at-risk. The motto? Well, it speaks for itself, “It’s not foolproof. It’s difficult. And, it’s worth it.”