Wilderness Programs

Choosing a Wilderness Intervention for Troubled Teens or Young Adults

Good people often make poor choices. Providing a time out for evaluation and assessment can be invaluable to everyone in your family. There are a wide variety of "wilderness" based programs which may follow different models of care including expeditionary, adventure, or base camp models. Not all Wilderness Programs are the same! Understanding a variety of program aspects such as clinical model, modes of communication, and safety procedures are only a few of the areas that are consistently evaluated.

Clinical Wilderness Programs are highly effective for defiant teens, young adults who have not yet emancipated or adults who have lost their way. Many participants are lacking confidence, experiencing family conflict, adoption issues, chemically dependent, underachieving or angry. Participants in these programs are not often court appointed but may have had a small brush with the law and are not in any condition to that could be medically unsafe including suicidal ideation, severe addiction needing detox services or at risk due to eating disorders.

Call Educational Options now to speak with an experienced certified educational planner/interventionist specializing in placement of at-risk youth and adults at 858-922-6888 or use our online inquiry form.

• Provide intervention and assessment for a shorter time period
• Will not "FIX" your child but will offer insightful experience hands on
• Offer highly skilled and dedicated staff
• Are NOT boot camps
• Accept students through rolling admissions
• Utilize a supportive, positive peer culture in a natural setting
• Provide therapeutic adventure experiences that are physically and emotionally challenging
• Teach basic survival skills allowing growth in self-esteem and confidence
• Are highly effective for defiant teens that are lacking confidence, experiencing family conflict, chemically dependent, underachieving or angry
• Focus on therapy and not academics
• Promote communication with family therapist on a weekly basis and with child through letter writing
• May require family attendance either before, during or after the experience
• Offer online parent check in web sites
• Range from 42 to 120 days and serve small groups from 4-10 teens, young adults or adults
• Cost $325- $500 per day