History

Incorporated in 1869 under the terms of a bequest by John Cleveland, The Cleveland Home operated in Versailles, KY first as an orphanage to educate, feed and clothe the "poor orphan female children of this state" and later as a residential treatment facility for female adolescents.
For more than 122 years, The Cleveland Home adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of the young ladies it served including in the latter years, creating a more therapeutic program. The Cleveland Home shifted from an orphanage to a state-placed residential facility and finally to a private placed residential home that from 2001-2005 operated at maximum capacity of 17 adolescent females.
In 1964, Judge Field McLeod donated farm property on Milner Rd. in Woodford County, KY to The Cleveland Home Board of Trustees. Originally, the farm was operated as a tobacco and livestock farm.

In 1975, Life Adventure Camp was organized by Dr. Ross and Cathie Brown with the help of Michael Bates, Evelyn Brown, and Roger Charlett. From 1977-2001, Life Adventure Camp staff taught at-risk youth effective living skills through wilderness, challenge, and structured group experiences by providing opportunities to build social skills, communication skills, cooperation, and self esteem at its farm in Estill County, KY. The Life Adventure Camp office was located in Lexington, KY.

In 2000, a chance meeting between Life Adventure Camp staff and The Cleveland Home staff led to a strategic alliance resulting in a plan of merger.
In 2005, the decision was made to close The Cleveland Home residential facility located at 140 Park Street, Versailles, KY and move operations known as Life Adventure Camp to the farm originally donated by Judge McLeod on Milner Rd in Woodford County, KY. This decision made by the Board of Trustees was driven by the desire to serve the local community by redirecting resources to prevention services and expanding programming for area youth.
In 2006, our name was changed to Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass to more accurately reflect the activities and programs taking place at our farm and at the schools served in the Bluegrass Region. We are no longer a residential program and we are more than a summer camp. Property formerly known as the Sadler Farm was purchased, adding an additional 245 acres to the existing site.
Today born from a rich history, a strong commitment to the community and the dedication of past and present board members and staff, Life Adventure Center ( LAC), A Program of The Cleveland Home, is a unique experience of discovery and development where lifelong lessons such as respect, responsibility, communication, teamwork, and leadership are taught. We are grounded in the philosophy that people learn best by doing. LAC offers a variety of experiential education based programs on its 575-acre farm at 570 Milner Rd., Versailles, KY. Programs are customized to address a group's individual needs. Programs include: Challenge Course/Mobile Unit Program, Equine Program and a newly developed Nature Program.

"You can learn more about someone in one hour of play than one hour of conversation."

History