Daily Routine
Monday through Saturday, the groups rise at 6:30 a.m. The first hour is spent taking care of one's sleeping area and performing campsite responsibilities. After all individual and group responsibilities and chores are completed, the group has breakfast either at the lodge or at campsite. Following breakfast, staff members and students have the opportunity to state their goals for the day and to recognize one another for positive actions and accomplishments. Students who have earned academic hours attend the formal classroom program. The remainder of the group then begins its chosen morning activity, which may vary from planning, building, or maintaining group site structures to participating in recreational or off-campus activities. Following lunch, the group again follows its planned activity, and some students again attend earned classroom hours. After supper, there is usually time for games or other leisure activities. At 8:00 p.m., a group meeting is held around the campfire to evaluate the day and to deal with any unresolved personal and group issues. This meeting lasts until conflicts and issues are addressed and brought to appropriate resolution. Generally, the group is in bed by 10:00 p.m. Group meetings are held whenever problems arise, so that the tension can be cleared and trust restored.
It is our goal to create an environment that is accepting, nurturing, and positively structured to foster personal, social, and academic growth. We acknowledge that each individual has a unique learning style, the discovery of which could empower the individual to grow in all areas of life.
The experiential learning and treatment program takes place outside the traditional classroom. The structure of the program utilizes positive group process in an outdoor setting. Students work cooperatively to promote their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This hands-on learning approach is effective for building self-confidence in students, as well as actual skills necessary for functioning.
