Some treatment programs contain a wilderness component into their regular curriculum. Other kinds of programs are wholly in the wilderness.  These are commonly short term, but they seem to have a distinct impact on teens.  The teen typically feels the need to sincerely change and may even admit that he or she needs to change while in the program.  Usually the wilderness program is not long enough to make permanent changes in the teen's attitude.  Education consultants will usually advocate a wilderness program to prepare a teen for a long-term program.

Because of their short duration, wilderness programs are usually not academically accredited.  Sometimes credits are available that matches time spent in nature, but acceptance is not automatic.  This makes timing is a critical factor with this kind of placement.  If a teen is taken out of school and sent to a wilderness program, they may fall behind in school.  If you put a teen that performs well in a situation where it is impossible to catch up academically, you may have to confront other issues.  Some teens find it "cool" to be taken away for a while, but others are humiliated at having to explain their absence.

Other considerations of wilderness programs are the environment itself and the inclination of teens to run away.  Extreme weather conditions, and the questions encompassed therein, are always dangerous.  Wilderness programs are typically too short to help troubled teens and are not usually recommended.

FOR A CUSTOM LIST OF WILDERNESS PROGRAM ALTERNATIVES - CLICK HERE