have proven themselves to be exceptional catalysts for change in troubled children and teenagers. Because of their reputation for quality, safety and longevity, SUWS wilderness programs have been highlighted in TV documentaries and written about in the national media. Our therapists and counselors guide teens toward self-reliance and self-respect. The impact of these programs on teens with such behavioral problems as low self-esteem, poor school performance, defiance of authority, depression, and drug or alcohol abuse has been well documented. Parents can feel confident that their children will get the treatment and care they need at SUWS.
SUWS Adolescent specializes in helping struggling teens ages 14-17 with behavioral and emotional problems. Operating in southern Idaho since 1981, SUWS has assisted young people with identifying and working through internal conflicts and emotional obstacles that have kept them from responding to parental efforts, schools, and treatment. These are children who are inherently good and have the ability to be successful, but because of unhealthy misperceptions about themselves, they have limited access to their own abilities and strengths. SUWS provides families with a safe and immediate intervention by utilizing its search and rescue metaphor, individualized treatment plans, and flexible length of stay. The outdoor environment and experiential learning help students recognize and build upon their own sense of self-worth as they learn the value of helping others.
Working with the distinctive needs of 11-13 year olds, the minimum 28-day SUWS Youth Wilderness Program offers a highly structured environment that provides each child with a positive and rewarding learning experience. The concrete thinking inherent in this age group requires tangible learning experiences from which to build. Our base camp model provides safety, security and predictability. The program's high staff-to-student ratio and personalized treatment plans ensure emotional growth and increased awareness of self and others. Unique in that the Youth Program uses llamas in the therapeutic process, a child has the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in developing responsibility and care-giving skills. Twenty-eight day courses begin every week.
SUWS of the Carolinas is a therapeutic wilderness program with a focus on clinical intervention and assessment. The program uses the outdoors as an alternative to conventional treatment environments, while engaging students using traditional therapeutic methods. The wilderness setting removes modern distractions, simplifies choices and teaches valuable lessons. As a result, students begin to accept responsibility for personal decisions, address individual and family issues, and become invested in their own personal growth. Since 1981, SUWS programs have provided essential guidance and support to thousands of misdirected and at-risk adolescents. SUWS of the Carolinas specializes in the assessment and treatment of students ages 13-17.
SEASONS is a licensed, clinically focused treatment program designed to identify the limiting beliefs and unhealthy behaviors that often can prevent the pursuit of constructive goals and personal achievement. The goal of the Seasons wilderness program is to create reference points that each child may tap into later for positive self-reinforcement. The staff and daily curriculum give students the tools they will need to chart a course for future growth and success and begin making progress in their lives.