is among the oldest outdoor experiential programs in the country. Founded in 1981, we have been providing guidance and support to children and their families for more than 20 years. The SUWS Youth Program is a 28-day minimum, outdoor experiential program addressing the needs of struggling youth between the ages of 11-13 who are demonstrating negative behaviors and unhealthy coping patterns. For the younger adolescent, the youth wilderness program provides a challenging and rewarding experience that gives each child a positive foundation for future growth. Opportunities for building confidence, problem-solving, and tangible success are provided to each student. Emphasis is placed on positive peer influence and leadership. Parents are given hands-on experience to address behavior patterns, gain new resources, and see theirchild as a person capable of change and success.

Research and developmental psychology indicates that 11 to 13-year-olds have very specific needs; primarily safety, security, and predictability. Young adolescents think in concrete terms and require tangible experiences from which to build. The goal of the SUWS Youth 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.

SUWS Youth excels at addressing the underlying cause of negative, unhealthy behaviors and working through impasses brought about by internal struggles, rather than confronting outward behaviors only.

At SUWS Youth we believe that successful treatment is best accomplished through small-group and individual attention. For this reason, we limit student groups to a maximum of seven children led by a core treatment team that includes one Field Supervisor and two Field Instructors. With a student to staff ratio of 2½ to 1, students receive the personal attention and care they need to ensure a positive, self-affirming experience.

A SUWS Youth Field Supervisor is responsible for the therapeutic evaluation and counseling of the student group. A Supervisor works closely with each child to help him or her determine the attitudes and behaviors that are negatively impacting their self-perceptions. By pinpointing and examining these self-limiting beliefs, the Field Supervisor can work with parents, counselors, consultants, and schools to map out customized individual treatment plans.

Field Instructors live and work with the students for the entire course. Instructors plan and teach day-to-day activities and monitor the safety and welfare of the group. Prior to each course, instructors undergo training in non-violent crisis intervention, first aid, and therapeutic processes. Each team of instructors is equipped with two-way radios, allowing for communication with on-call Field Supervisors, logistics, and office staff 24 hours a day.

Visit our website at: www.suwsyouth.com