Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Welcomes First Girls to the Ranch

For years, it was only boys. But what about the girls?

In 1956, Franklin Robbie led a united vision to create an alternative refuge for boys at Montana State Industrial School, giving rise to Yellowstone Boys Ranch. For 23 years, the Ranch lived up to its name—serving only boys who carried heavy burdens.

A Call for Change — Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Welcomes Girls

By the late 1970s, Montana was seeing more and more girls in crisis, and families began voicing heartfelt pleas—don’t forget the sisters, the daughters, the girls who hurt too.

In June of 1980, the Yellowstone Foundation announced in The Wrangler that girls would soon join our care, marking the first time we were known as Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch. That summer, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch welcomed its first girls, launching a new pilot program that opened doors for healing and belonging.

With state support, one brave girl became the first to walk through our gates. Her arrival marked a turning point—lodges built, donors rallying, and girls finally finding a place to heal and grow.

Expanding Hope and Belonging

When Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch welcomed its first girls, it became clear that the Ranch’s heart had never been just for boys—it had always been for kids.

Today, more than four decades later, girls make up nearly 80% of the youth in care at the Ranch. Their courage and resilience continue to shape who we are as a community of caring people, preparing youth for life.

Learn More About Our History

Visit our History page to explore the story—and the caring people—who gave birth to our mission. Their vision continues to touch the lives of thousands of youth across Montana and beyond each year.

Want to dive deeper? You can also find A Legacy of Caring, written by our founder, Franklin Robbie, on Amazon.