Programs » A Typical Day
A Typical Day
Phase I (Week 1-3)
The group wakes up fairly early. Your child has his or her own shelter and cook area at some distance from everyone else and leaves that area only with staff permission. Participants spend a few hours each morning completing daily tasks such as cooking breakfast, boiling drinking water for the day's hike, taking part in individual therapy sessions with staff members, working on self-reflective journal assignments, and packing up their camp in preparation to begin hiking.
The group will usually hike throughout the morning, making several rest stops and breaks toward midday for lunch. Usually during this time, the staff will also lead a psychoeducational therapy group for the participants. The group then hikes for a few more hours, with the goal of getting into camp in the late afternoon. Shelters are set up and participants prepare to cook their meal. There is more journal work to do, or sometimes, additional exercise (a hike up a ridge or down a creek) for stronger group members. The day's activities conclude with a two to three hour group therapy session around the evening campfire.
Phase II (Week 4-7)
The group wakes fairly early and each participant prepares their own breakfast. A leader of the day is selected and is responsible for helping to direct the day’s activity. The group spends the day participating in the “activity of the week” which varies from river rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, working with horses, primitive camping skills including bow drilling, to a service projects. The group will often stay in one location for the entire week. Individual therapy takes place throughout the day and group therapy takes place each evening around the campfire. Two to three psychoeducational groups are held each week. Every Friday is a solitude day, where participants are given their own campsite and spend the day reflecting on the therapeutic feedback they are receiving from staff and working on their journal assignments.