National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping» NATWC National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping http://natwc.org Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:57:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Accreditation http://natwc.org/2010/06/accredidation/ http://natwc.org/2010/06/accredidation/#comments Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:20:53 +0000 Micah Wheat http://natwc.org/?p=503 When deciding on where or how you want to spend your money, you deserve the assurance that you are making the right choice. So what factors help you believe the product is right for you? How do you know that you are making the right choice? How do you know that your investment will pay off? In most cases, we can read the label, ask the salesperson, or somehow access the information you need to make the right choice before moving forward. Again…..most cases…..Making a decision regarding school or program placement for a child in need is an extremely difficult one to make. Fortunately there are ways to educate ourselves before we move forward with this. One of the major points to consider when “reading the label” on this potential school is what their level of accreditation is. CARF is an accreditation that comes highly recommended, as is the Joint Commission and COA. Many programs and schools obtain these to ensure best practices are being met.  Please inquire as to what level of accreditation their program is.

Another certification that parties involved in planning a child’s educational future is whether or not they have academic credibility as well. Look for the endorsement by the state and regional accreditation surveyor like SACS or another region specific service.

NATWC, IECA , and NATSAP do a solid job in presenting  and reporting on the latest successes in program accreditation, both sound resources.

The more questions you ask when you are planning the path for a child and their family the better. Educate yourself on the pros and con’s of each school or program, and then ask more questions!!!!

Stay in touch!!!!

]]> http://natwc.org/2010/06/accredidation/feed/ 0 Will the circle be unbroken? http://natwc.org/2009/03/will-the-circle-be-unbroken/ http://natwc.org/2009/03/will-the-circle-be-unbroken/#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:38:19 +0000 Micah Wheat http://natwc.org/?p=126 I just experienced one of those idyllic moments that happens every so often in this line of work. It is when we get to see our students come full circle and re-enter the world ready and prepared with a whole new set of skills.

As much as they say they disliked their experiences, refused the oatmeal or rice and lentils, shut down on rain soaked hikes, or refused to attend class, they typically still take the time write, call, or stop by for a visit after graduation.

 The letters are real and genuine more so than any they wrote during their time at our programs. The visits are some of the most heartfelt and joyous occasions I have experienced. The phone calls are upbeat and they are eager to share their success stories with us. They love to send pictures of them completing the Appalachian Trail, hugging their college sweet heart, standing beside their first car, holding their diploma, or in their Military Class A’s (formal attire).

I had a trifecta this past week! I got a visit from a student who struggled dearly with a ASD diagnosis. He is now succesfull in the IT world and has become proficient in operating ham radios. I also recieved a picture of another student via email right before his departure for his first tour of duty in Iraq. The third moment was a phone call from a student who is finding success back home with is friends and family after along and uphill journey.

These type of situations only occur when the professional services are being provided for our students. These professional services are acquired through trainings and then put to use each day by program staff. These trainings are provided by NATWC and other high-quality agencies.

Hundreds of students are graduating programs that employ staff accredited through NATWC’s Certification Process each year and enter back into the world with the skills and tools the need to be succesfull. 

These are the moments I live for. A phone call, a letter, or a visit from a student who swore he never would come back. Some even come back with a resume in hand, wanting to complete the circle of giving. I encourage programs to continue to take advantage of the chance to certify their staff with NATWC’s Counselor Certification Process. This will ensure that we can set our students up for success and hopefully sit in on an interview with them at your program, thus keeping the circle unbroken.

]]> http://natwc.org/2009/03/will-the-circle-be-unbroken/feed/ 0 Dancing With The Stars http://natwc.org/2009/03/dancing-with-the-stars/ http://natwc.org/2009/03/dancing-with-the-stars/#comments Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:01:57 +0000 Holly Hunter http://natwc.org/?p=112 hikingmtI just finished watching the season premiere of Dancing with the Stars. I love to watch the professionals dance across the open floor with grace and charm, but more than that I love to watch them draw the celebrities out of their comfort zone and teach them something new. To be able to watch a football star, a television actor or Olympic athlete evolve onto a dancer is exciting. In order to accomplish their goal the professional dancer utilizes the celebrity’s state of vulnerability to develop a bond of trust in order for each celebrity to become dependent on the professional dancer to teach them the fundamental skills of dancing. As a result the celebrities step out of their comfort zone, develop this new skill as they apply the fundamental steps into a dance.

It’s much the same when wilderness front-line staff works with at-risk adolescents. The staff at wilderness programs uses their skills to reach out and connect with the vulnerable teenager form a trust-bond. It is through this trust-bond that at-risk adolescents are able to develop fundamental skills that they, with the help of front-line staff transfer into everyday life skills. It is through these new life skills that these at-risk adolescents are able to find their self-esteem, self-reliance and self-management. These fundamentals are the building blocks which will carry them through life. I think it is fair to say that, in essence, when at-risk adolescents are in the wilderness the front-line staff teaches them to dance.

That is why the work we do at National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping is so important. NATWC is dedicated to the training and certification of wilderness front-line staff. That means that front-line staff has a golden opportunity to learn from international experts in their field. As a not-for-profit NATWC relies heavily on your donations, membership and attendance at our annual conferences to be able to have funding to provide this certification and training to those who work directly with at-risk adolescents. When you join NATWC you help teach at-risk adolescents to dance the dance of life.

For more information on how to join NATWC contact Rick McClintock, Executive Director, 724-329-1098 or contact Holly Hunter, Board Member and Owner, SafePassage Adolescent Services, 800.811.7911.

]]> http://natwc.org/2009/03/dancing-with-the-stars/feed/ 0 The Power of the Certification Process http://natwc.org/2009/03/the-power-of-the-certification-process/ http://natwc.org/2009/03/the-power-of-the-certification-process/#comments Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:10:45 +0000 Micah Wheat http://natwc.org/?p=87 There is something special about a diploma, degree, or a credential and the process we go through to earn that “piece of paper”.  I can personally attest to the value of NATWC’S Counselor Certification process. It is the most professional and specialized blanket credential a direct care service provider could obtain. NATWC’S Certification offers direct care and front line staff an additional layer of skills and knowledge to provide the students and families the best services possible. Not only are the actual competencies solid, but the process staff go through to pursue this certification teaches valuable critical thinking skills and reinforces dedication to this line of work. With any career or occupation, the more professional your credentials and experiences are the better services you will provide for your customers. In this particular case, our “customers” are students and their families who require our abilities to keep them moving forward along their journey towards adulthood.

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