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Adventure Therapy Programs

Adventure Therapy, also called Wilderness Adventure Therapy (WAT) or Outdoor Therapy, teaches troubled youth the skills they need to survive and flourish in everyday life. Whether navigating white water, completing a high-ropes course or camping under the stars, participants learn self-reliance, decision-making and confidence under the supervision of trained professionals.

  1. Alaska Crossings

    • Crossings offers 49-day outdoor expeditions for youth aged 13 to 18 who exhibit mental health issues. Therapeutic adventures include hiking, mountaineering and canoeing.

      Crossings Wilderness Expeditions for Youth
      Box 1231
      Wrangell, AK 99929
      907-874-2371
      866-550-2371
      alaskacrossings.org

    Adirondack Leadership Expeditions

    • Situated in the Adirondack Mountains, this is a "character-development wilderness program for troubled teens that promotes personal growth through a focus on insight-oriented experiences." The program serves ages 13-17 who suffer from a variety of troubles, including entitlement issues, low self-esteem and substance use.

      Adirondack Leadership Expeditions
      82 Church Street
      Saranac Lake, NY 12983
      877-252-0869
      adirondackleadership.com

    Aspiro Adventure

    • Serving young people from 13 to 30, Aspiro Adventure is an accredited therapy and intervention program based in Utah. Aspiro educators provide a curriculum that offers solution-focused therapy and rigorous outdoor adventure.

      Aspiro
      3253 West 11975 South
      Riverton, Utah 84065
      801-349-2740
      888-266-5136
      aspiroadventure.com

    Catherine Freer

    • Since 1988, this Oregon-based program has catered to struggling teens by combining backpacking and outdoor exploration with psychotherapy sessions. Participants move through a two-phase program designed to help them reflect on past destructive behaviors and envision future successes.

      Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Programs
      PO Box 1064
      Albany, OR 97321
      541-926-7252
      cfreer.com

    Kairos Adventure

    • According to its website, Kairos provides "healing, direction and personal empowerment through the use of an innovative clinical approach intertwined with daily adventure activities." The program serves men and women ages 18 to 35.

      Kairos Adventure
      Young Adult Adventure Wilderness Program
      3253 W. 11975 S.
      Riverton, Utah 84065
      801-349-2740
      kairosadventure.com

    Open Sky Wilderness

    • Teens, young adults and families benefit from this Colorado wilderness program, which combines outdoor expeditions with conventional and alternative therapies, including yoga and meditation.

      Open Sky Wilderness Therapy
      P.O. Box 2201
      Durango, CO 81302
      970-382-8181
      openskywilderness.com

    Outward Bound

    • This nonprofit organization offers learning expeditions for at-risk youth and other groups. Outward Bound's wilderness programs take place all over the United States.

      Outward Bound At-Risk Expeditions
      910 Jackson St.
      Golden, CO 80401
      866-467-7651
      outwardbound.org

    Red Cliff Ascent

    • Thirty- to 60-day programs for troubled youth at Red Cliff Ascent in Utah's high desert emphasize decision-making, honesty and compassion through group work and survival-skill training (See References 5).

      Red Cliff Ascent Wilderness Treatment Program
      757 South Main
      Springville, UT 84663
      800-898-1244

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