SUWS Wilderness Therapy Programs Serve the Distinct Needs of Pre-Teens and Teens

By Meghan Vivo

Despite being only a couple years apart, pre-teens look, speak, act and think differently than teenagers. Although research clearly shows that pre-teens are emotionally, socially and physically in a very different place than teens, pre-teens are facing growing pressure to look and act more like their older counterparts.

“A lot of 11-year-olds want to dress and act like 15- and 16-year-olds, but they’re not mature enough to be able to do so,” said Chris Edwards, PhD, the clinical director at SUWS wilderness therapy programs for adolescents and youth in Idaho.

When tweens hang out with older kids, they often put up a tough exterior to fit in. By doing so, they lose self-esteem and their sense of identity, which often leads to defiant and destructive behaviors.

When a child acts and looks older than they are, parents often fall into the trap of treating them like they’re older. The problem, according to Dr. Edwards, is that children try to live up to their parents’ expectations, thus fast-forwarding through the very important pre-teen stage.

According to Kathy Rex, the executive director of SUWS Adolescent and Youth Programs, tween girls are rushing into adolescence, getting into difficult situations and making major life decisions before they are ready. In contrast, tween boys are getting stuck in pre-adolescence and are struggling to transition into adolescence.

“Kids need to be allowed to be kids,” said Dr. Edwards. “By working through the pre-teen stage rather than hurrying through it, kids can develop healthy relationships with their peers, their families and themselves.”

Different Programs for Different Kids

Because tweens and teens have different developmental needs, they tend to make the most progress in therapeutic programs designed specifically for their age group. At SUWS wilderness therapy programs, pre-teens participate in a separate youth program tailored to the unique needs of 11- to 13-year-olds, and teenagers ages 14 to 17 participate in an adolescent program.

By separating the two age groups, SUWS is able to customize the curriculum to the age and mindset of each group. There is also less risk of older teens being a negative influence on the younger students.

“Having separate youth and adolescent programs allows us to give students the best of both worlds,” said Rex. “When it is clinically appropriate, we may bring the youth and adolescent groups together so that each group can learn from the other. This ability to test their new skills and abilities is instrumental in long-term planning for each child.”

In both the youth and adolescent programs at SUWS, parents receive support and coaching throughout their child’s wilderness experience. Through parent workshops, family therapy and family camp, parents learn how to move forward and work together as a cohesive family unit.

The Adolescent Program at SUWS

The first stage of the adolescent program at SUWS is the “I” (Individual) stage, in which teens hike and camp with the group, but also spend time alone with the supervision of field staff. During this time, teens are asked to take responsibility for what led them to SUWS and reflect on the changes they want to make to improve their lives.

Next, the teens move into “family” stage, where they integrate into the group and take on roles similar to a family. Teens are expected to take on more responsibilities and serve as a leader and role model for others in the group. The final stage emphasizes “community,” and challenges teens to use what they’ve learned to serve others. 

“Putting others’ needs before our own and experiencing personal sacrifice in order to help those in need has a profound effect on our personal development and sense of social responsibility,” said Rex.

The Youth Program at SUWS

The youth program at SUWS provides many of the same lessons as the adolescent program, but is shaped in a more concrete way to mirror the students’ developmental needs. Pre-teens move through a series of stages based on a different animal “token,” including mouse, raccoon, frog, buffalo, wolf and eagle, each with its own lesson and objective.

Because pre-teens learn best through hands-on experience in an environment where they feel safe and secure, the students stay with their group throughout the program. While quiet reflection, self-analysis and “talk therapy” can be beneficial for teens, pre-teens learn best by seeing and doing.

Wilderness therapy is ideal for struggling pre-teens because it is based on learning by experience. The students in SUWS’ youth program learn responsibility by taking care of their equipment and tending to their own hygiene, and learn cooperation by working with their peers to accomplish tasks and achieve group goals.

SUWS wilderness program helps tweens develop the skills and self-confidence to progress through pre-adolescence in a healthy, developmentally appropriate way and get back on track before high school. Because they are still malleable and open to change, pre-teens tend to make impressive strides during a wilderness therapy program.

Since pre-teens haven’t yet developed advanced verbal communication skills, they often learn best through nonverbal means. In SUWS’ youth program, students learn about responsibility, teamwork, respect and trust through their relationships with the program’s herd of llamas.

Each group hikes and camps with llamas, making the animals an important part of daily life in the field. The llamas help carry the students’ gear and, in return, the students must learn how to treat the animals well. The students learn valuable social skills through their interactions with the llamas, which translate to their relationships with their peers and family.

“Having lived fewer years, pre-teens tend to have less life experience and less developed communication skills than older teens,” said Rex. “We help them develop the tools to articulate their thoughts and emotions and gain insight into who they want to be.”

The way the program staff interacts with the students also changes depending on the age and developmental stage of the participants. While adolescents can grasp abstract concepts and come to conclusions with limited outside direction, younger teens often need more guidance.

Although pre-teens and teens have different developmental needs, wilderness therapy is one of the most effective ways to reach both age groups. Programs like SUWS that adopt distinct curricula tailored to the unique needs of its students and separate tweens and teens into different groups offer young people the opportunity to get exactly what they need at the right time.