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Wilderness Programs
These types of programs are usually short term. They seem
to have a definite impact on the teen. Typically the teen
while in the program sincerely feels the need to change
and may even admit that he or she needs to change their
behaviors. In most cases education consultants will
recommend a wilderness to prepare a teen for a long term
placement.
Usually the wilderness placement alone is not long enough
to make lasting changes in the teen?s life. Again short
term is a great place to start but usually needs to be
followed up by something longer in length. Some programs
include a wilderness component into their regular
program. Some have more rustic type living for teens that
first come into a program, and then with appropriate
choices they move into nicer living conditions.
Wilderness programs are usually not academically
accredited, because of their short duration. There are
usually some credits available that would correspond to
time in spent out in nature, but it is not a given that
they will be accepted. For this reason timing is an
important factor involved with this type of placement. If
you are taking a teen out of school and sending them to a
Wilderness Program, they will fall further behind in
school. In most cases the teen is not applying themselves
in school anyway so this is not a huge factor. But in the
case where the teen is still doing well in school, this
should be taken into consideration.
If academics are still important to them and you put them
in an impossible to catch up situation, you will have to
deal with other issues. They can include lowering of self
esteem for being held back or just failing classes, and
the teen having to explain where they have been upon
their return to school. While some teens will find it
cool to having been taken away for a while, there are
others that will be embarrassed for having to explain
their absence. Other considerations of Wilderness
Programs are the elements themselves, and the ability of
teens to run away. While the majority of programs have
things well planned out there have been cases where teens
have been able to overpower staff, and run from their
camping spot. This is less likely to happen in a set
location.
The elements of course there is now way to plan on how
they will cooperate. There is always the danger of
extreme weather conditions, and the problems encompassed
therein. On the other hand Wilderness Programs have had a
place in overall plan for years, and there are definite
benefits from having a teen get back to basics in this
way. As you know there is something to be said about
being out in nature. There is a tendency in this setting
to have more quiet time to reflect on what is really
important, and what course they are on. Quiet time around
the campfire at night is almost a spiritual experience
and a great time for teaching a tired youth.
