800.390.3983

About

"I hope you tell kids that this really does work and I am an example."

FAQs

If you have a question that you don't see listed below, give us a call at (800) 390-3983 and we'll be happy to answer your question.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of your program?

Our fee structure is $2975 per week one through three; $2800 for week four through seven; and $2625 for weeks eight and beyond. Our average length of stay is seven to 10 weeks. There is also a $2500 enrollment/equipment fee.

Deposit
We ask that you pay the enrollment fee of $2500 in order to hold a position for your child on an expedition.

When can my child start?

Our expeditions depart on Tuesdays; however, we can take adolescents any day of the week. Please ask your admissions counselor for details.

How is risk handled in your program?

Any physically strenuous activity program creates some chance of injury. Given the inherent natural risks of any adventure program, our top priority is managing the risk involved. All of the staff on your child's expedition are thoroughly trained and certified in basic first aid and CPR. At least one staff person holds a Wilderness First Responder medical training certification or is a certified EMT. One member of the team is a master's level clinician or certified drug and alcohol counselor.

Each trip itinerary is filed with the respective local regulatory agency and each expedition is issued a permit prior to departure. All expedition itineraries include evacuation plans. Expedition staff has satellite phone communication and logistic and emergency support 24-hours-a-day and the ability to check into the main office on a regular basis.

We allow your child time to become accustomed to the backpack and the physical activity at the beginning of each expedition. Your child's meals are planned and approved by a registered dietician. The group receives regular re-supplies of food. Your child will be wearing functional outdoor clothing that is seasonally appropriate.

We will be glad to discuss our risk management program with you. Please feel free to call us at (800) 390-3983.

What makes your program different from others?

We take pride in the fact that our program is one of the only therapeutic wilderness programs in existence where a therapist lives in the field with the children for the entire expedition. Very few treatment programs, indoor or outdoors, make such a strong and caring therapeutic connection with teenagers.

My child hasn't done much hiking and isn't particularly athletic, does that matter?

We allow your child time to become accustomed to the backpack and the physical activity at the beginning of each expedition. Your child will eventually get stronger as they continue to hike daily, eat a healthy diet, and get plenty of sleep. There is no caffeine or extra processed sugar in their diet and they are not allowed to smoke or chew tobacco. Although many kids start the program fairly out of shape and unhealthy, they go through a cleansing process with diet and exercise and typically come out at the end feeling better than they have in quite some time.

Where will my child be backpacking?

Our expedition locations vary with each season. In the spring and fall, we hike in the rolling hills of southeastern Oregon's high desert country, which is rich in sagebrush and juniper. In winter, we snowshoe in wilderness lake country along the crest of the Cascades, where there is good shelter. During the summer, we hike in beautiful mountain wilderness areas where the terrain is rugged enough to provide a challenging environment.

Do girls feel comfortable on these expeditions?

Girls do very well in our program and feel safe because of the individualized and nurturing approach taken by our staff. We always have at least one female staff on each expedition, and our male staff members are sensitive to gender-related issues. Girls are often adept at feelings and relationships. Our daily therapy helps them use these skills to learn and grow rather than manipulate, defend, or subvert. Most girls finish their expedition beaming with vigor and newfound physical and emotional self-confidence.

What will the other kids be like on the expedition?

Adolescents that participate in Catherine Freer's wilderness therapy programs are good kids that have gotten off track and need guidance and structure to help them make better choices. Most often the underlying issues are quite similar: defying parental authority by staying out late, having poor choice of friends, and not participating in family activities. The underlying problems may include: substance abuse, early sexual abuse or too-early adolescent sexual experience, hyperactivity in school, impulsiveness, depression, and personality problems. We do not accept seriously delinquent or violent adolescents.

What about academics? Will my child fall behind in school?

Our program is designed to assist your child in identifying the core issues that have stood in the way of their academic accomplishment. We assist your child in returning to the classroom with a better understanding of personal accountability and the motivation to succeed. Your child can gain up to three transferable academic credits while enrolled in our wilderness therapy program. Learn more.

What clothing do I need to send for my child?

We provide all of your child's clothing, gear, and hygiene items. Your child will be attired in the same functional and seasonally appropriate outdoor clothing as all of the other children. This is done to eliminate the distraction that clothing and fashion typically present to an adolescent.

Have you done any outcome studies?

Yes. Research shows that the positive changes made by our clients continue to strengthen over time after their wilderness expedition. We expect our graduates to be ready to work out responsible, successful approaches to their problems and to be committed to healthy family relationships, regular school attendance, and abstinence from drugs and alcohol.

Our most recent research effort has been done in collaboration with other high-quality wilderness treatment programs and the University of New Hampshire's Dr. Keith Russell. This research shows that when adolescents enter wilderness treatment, they are as troubled as those admitted to psychiatric hospitals. When they finish wilderness treatment, they score at levels within the average range for adolescents. Click here to learn more about this.

Do the effects of your program last?

Yes. A longitudinal study on the effects of wilderness therapy shows that more than 80 percent of parents and 90 percent of graduates contacted report that their wilderness treatment experience was effective two years after the process.

These results do not imply that the first year after wilderness treatment is easy, or that all our graduates succeed. The first year after treatment is almost always a struggle for both the young people who have gone through our program and for their parents and families. Intense parental involvement and an ongoing effort by your son or daughter are crucial to helping your child get back on a path toward a successful life.

My child won't do anything I ask. How can I get her to attend your program?

If you choose, we can provide you with a list of organizations that can escort your child to Catherine Freer. Please call your admissions counselor at (800) 390-3983 for more information.

How do you handle emergencies?

All expedition itineraries include detailed evacuation plan and we maintain an excellent collaborative relationship with our community's emergency-services personnel. We also maintain a network of support people that can provide assistance when, for whatever reason, a child needs to be removed from an expedition. Our field staff has access to our medical consultant via satellite phone who provides expert medical advice and recommendations.