- Second Nature (Utah): www.snwp.com
- Elements (Utah): www.elementswilderness.com
- Soltreks (Minnesota): www.soltreks.com
- SUWS (Idaho): www.suws.com
First off, a wilderness therapy program is an entirely different animal than a wilderness boot camp (what I originally looked into and, thankfully, got scared off from). Boot camps are informed by the military model and their objective is to gain control, compliance and obedience from wayward teens. It also relies heavily on negative reinforcement to achieve these objectives; everything from loss of privileges to deprivation to isolation to corporal punishment. It can work in the short term (who wouldn't comply when faced with harsh punishment?) but often results in long term psychological problems. Several of these programs have been shut down and some have moved their operations off of US soil to avoid regulation and investigation.
Wilderness therapy, in contrast, is driven by a philosophy of experiential education and positive self-discovery. These programs are run by highly trained clinical staff who use the challenges of the wilderness environment as a kind of metaphor for life's challenges. Getting kids away from the environment where they had developed maladaptive behaviors and getting back to basics fosters increased self-esteem, confidence and responsibility. The kids spend time not only hiking, building shelters and learning to make fire, but they also do a lot of group and individual therapy and explore their feelings through written assignments. While most kids are initially reluctant to go to this type of program, most report after the fact that it was a positive and formative experience.
I could go on and on but here is a web site worth reading to learn more:
http://www.wildernesstherapy.org/Wilderness/WildernessVsBoot.htm
Posts
Our son has been at Second Nature in Utah since July 15th, after being kicked out of an academic camp in New Hampshire.
ReplyDeleteI'm very interested in other parents' opinion of the program, or better yet, teenagers' opinions !!!
Hi Anne-
ReplyDeleteAlthough we ultimately chose Elements, I have heard that Second Nature is the creme de la creme: one of the oldest and most respected of these types of programs. Most of the staff at Elements came from Second Nature ...we chose it because it was smaller and a bit less expensive. But I have heard nothing but good things about Second Nature...even from kids who have gone there. They might not be so keen on it at first, but by the end the see that it was the best thing they have done.
Hope that helps.
Ellen
I am surprised that there are still parents out there, who are willing to put the life on their child on the line in such a potential dangerous entreprise as putting a minor in residential treatment. Kids died out there. But of course you can write it off like traffic where roadkills always happen to the other families. I can see that you have listed SUWS and they can list at least two kids on their casulty-list.
ReplyDeleteThat does not make the rest of the programs safer because when the police shut a wilderness program down, the staff move to the next program. The people responsible for the death of Aaron Bacon many years ago are still working in this line of business today.
Kurt Hansson-
ReplyDeleteI have worked for over a year as a wilderness instructor. I have a degree in psychology as well as Wilderness First Responder certification. None of my students have ever been harmed, or come close to dying. Ever. I am extremely protective of my students- as though they were my own kids. Wilderness therapy is extremely effective.
My 16 year old daughter is in a wilderness therapy program right now. If she weren't there she would be at high risk of dying from a drug overdose not to mention the many other high risk situations she was putting herself in. Riding with drunk drivers, abusive boyfriend, getting in fights, running away... She's safe now. In just 3 weeks she's been able to admit that she was out of control and take responsibility for the emotional turmoil she caused her family. We actually have hope now when just a few weeks ago she was headed toward becoming a homeless teen. We have a long way to go but at least we were able to stop the runaway train wreck.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that! My son went from wilderness to an emotional growth boarding school. He is now back home for his senior year and doing really well. He is looking forward to college next year. Good luck to you and your daughter.
ReplyDeleteWilderness therapy programs is a great tool for troubled teens, especially those with obedience and behavioral issues. It is a short-term program for troubled teens that combines therapy with activities such as camping, hiking and wilderness survival.
ReplyDeleteThe long term wilderness therapy program for troubled teens is a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 150 days, with the average length of stay between 60-80 days.
My wife and I found this incredible wilderness therapy program, Pacific Quest, http://www.pacificquest.org/, in Hawaii, for my son. He was a problem teenager and we could never reach him.
ReplyDeleteAfter coming back from Pacific Quest, he was changed for the better. He was calmer, listened better, and appreciated us for the first time. They provided him responsibility where he could see his efforts being paid off. I would definitely add Pacific Quest in addition to the programs mentioned.
My son spent 12 weeks in 2014 at Second Nature. It was an important step on his road to recovery. The staff were exceptional at being able to get to the core of my son's challenges, work with him, and then make recommendations for follow up. My son credits his therapist at Second Nature for getting him to finally be honest with himself and letting him decide that he wanted more help. It was a pivotal experience for both of us.
ReplyDelete