Therapeutic Wilderness Programs

1. Therapeutic Wilderness Programs By: Brianna, Christian, Dan, K.C., and Ty

2. What is Wilderness Therapy? • Wilderness therapy is an experiential program that takes place in a wilderness or remote outdoor setting. Programs provide counseling, therapy, education, leadership training and primitive living challenges that foster community and group interdependence as well as individual honesty, awareness, openness, responsibility and accountability. The terms wilderness therapy, wilderness program and outdoor behavioral health program are commonly used to mean the same thing. The wilderness environment or remote outdoor setting offers the following components that support the development of personal growth, awareness of self-defeating behaviors, and opportunity for change: • Limiting distractions • Separating from negative influences or a familiar environment • Structured daily activities • Skills or tools for effective relationships • Individual and group counseling / therapy • Small group environment • Progression of phases • Unique staff/student relationship • Focus on relationships with self and family • **Ex: Second Nature, SUWS, Soltreks

3. Why? • The purpose of this intervention is to separate youth from negative influences and to place them in outdoor environments that are safe, help them to discover what they have taken for granted, and to create circumstances that lead to self-examination and learning to communicate, cooperate and contribute to the well-being of group. Therapists encourage and reinforce effort and the changes that occur.

4. Adventure Therapy vs. Wilderness Therapy • Adventure therapy, separate from of the therapeutic process, has only been around for less than 40 years. It is the creation of opportunities to explore the unknown in a safe environment through adventure activities. • Ex: NOLS, Outward Bound

5. More Details • Teenagers range in age 13-17 and young adults are 18-25. Programs are also available for older adults. Groups are single gender and any age group may participate in a One-on-One trek. Many students enroll with issues of self esteem, loss, depression, attention challenges, motivation, and making transitions. They are often unsuccessful in their current therapy, academic setting, or at home. Poor choices in friends, distant family relationships and isolation are often described as concerned behaviors. Students begin their trek on Day 1 and camp the entire trek using quality group gear. Should weather conditions warrant, a small cabin is made available for interim shelter. • Group size is limited to 6 students, often a ratio of 1:2. Consistent instructor team throughout the trek enhances relationship development. Primary staff has a Master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Counseling, Social Work or Education. Bachelor and Master level instructors who have diverse educational and experiential backgrounds guide our students.

6. Family Involvement • Parents are expected to participate in weekly conferencing with the directors and field therapist; to write letters and timely focused assignments; and to take part in workshops, on site family sessions, experiential activities with their child, and in the graduation ceremony. Siblings are encouraged to participate as appropriate.

7. Sample Schedule • 8:00 a.m. Wake-up • 8:20 a.m. Orientation and setting up morning chores, often peer driven • 8:30 a.m. Crush fire pit coals, breakfast • 10:00 a.m.* Group therapy • 11:00 a.m. Hike • 1:00 p.m. Lunch • 2:00 p.m. Personal time, letter writing, completion of therapeutic and academic assignments • 3:00 p.m. Hike • 6:00 p.m. Chores, set-up camp, fire building • 6:45 p.m. Dinner prep and eat • 8:30 p.m. Evening group therapy • 10:00 p.m. Sleep • *individual therapy (clinician days)

8. Outcome Studies • 97% completion rate from Soltreks • Results indicated: 83% of participants made clinical significant improvement. SUWS participant's average score measured a 51.6-point reduction. Almost half (46%) of participants returned to a NORMAL RANGE as a result of treatment. • Two self-concept studies that utilized control groups, pre- and post-testing, and a follow-up after one year. Results revealed significant, positive improvements in student self-concept after participation in the SUWS Program. • A study documenting a 90% improvement in the sustained progress of students at therapeutic boarding schools following completion of SUWS. • A study conducted by an adolescent drug and alcohol treatment program showing that SUWS dramatically increased the number of adolescents abstinent after one year. According to the program's director, SUWS helped increase the success rate of its program by over 100%. • A study that analyzed program effectiveness after one year for students returning home, based on six variables: • Family Relations-------------------------------71% improvement • Failing Grades----------------------------------38% improvement in academics • Alcohol-------------------------------------------50% no further use • Drug Use-----------------------------------------50% no further use • School Attendance----------------------------35% no further attendance problems • Recidivism for Minor Offences-------------65% no further problems with the law

9. Academic Credits • Blueprint Education, a leading national education provider accredited by North Central Association - Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA-CASI) and its umbrella organization, the Commission on International and Trans-regional Accreditation (CITA). The customized comprehensive curriculum is based on the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA) North Central Association – Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA-CASI) and NAEP (National Advancement for the Progress of Education). The flexibility of learning anywhere, anytime that Soltreks offers combines the support of qualified professional educators with an individualized and self-paced learning program adapted to your child's learning style. Our curriculum is founded on the value of promoting health and wellness by recognizing students’ individuality while cultivating their physical, emotional, and creative self.

Through this partnership, we are able to validate our unique facilitation while honoring our students’ efforts and accomplishments by granting academic credit. The curriculum model blends outdoor education instruction and personal development with traditional academics. Students in grades nine through twelve can continue working on their high school diploma while on trail. The curriculum is also approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for admission to all NCAA programs throughout colleges and universities. Visit Blueprint Education’s web site at: www.blueprinteducation.org

10. Pros • Could lead to dramatic change in lifestyle • Learn survival skills • Exposure to different experiences • Provided with a mentor • Life long friendships • Many different models of wilderness therapy that can apply to a number of issues • Can be a gateway to therapeutic schools and/or rehab programs • Helps teens learn more about themselves (self-identity)

11. Cons • Many teens are forced to attend programs which can lead to resentment and detachment from parents • Taken out of school for significant amounts of time • Risk of injury • Expensive programs that aren’t guaranteed to work • Doesn’t improve everyone • Putting troubled teens in a strange environment can push them to try to run away • Risk/reward factor • Withdrawal occurring in the wilderness

12. Life After Wilderness • After a wilderness therapy program, students may return home or may be recommended for a therapeutic boarding school, Young Adult Therapeutic Transition Program, a lockdown facility or an intense residential treatment center

13. Video’s • Brat Camp Sagewalk aftermath • Brat Camp Intro E. • Catherine Freer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=motzleoTNME http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w79Hg5rTX3I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ8-nQad1Nk