How does a high-quality therapeutic program survive these times without compromising services? When parents are more hesitant or less able to spend family savings on expensive help for their children in crisis, and state and local budgets are seeing drastic cuts, this is a scary time for even the strongest program.

There is strength in numbers, and joining an organization of like-minded programs such as NATWC is a great way to find that power. NATWC members enjoy several crucial benefits, including exposure on the website, a forum for discussing real-time issues, and shared wisdom among members. The founders came together especially to be able to share information and solve common difficulties, which often appeared insurmountable to an individual program.

Whether it is creative stretches of the marketing budget, inexpensive alternatives in programming, or advice on how to lobby officials for continued support of important community services, NATWC members have a peer group that sees the value in sharing information and helping each other thrive. This has, in fact always been the most valuable purpose of NATWC for me. I know I have peers who are in this business for the right reasons and who are eager to help others achieve our common goal of helping families in need. If you are a member, take advantage of this community. If you are not, consider joining us. It could possibly be the smartest thing you do for your program this year.

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.

March Madness in the therapeutic world is about so much more than basketball. It’s about finding that special summer wilderness camp and getting your child registered before the spaces are completely full. March Madness is about getting your teenager re-directed after they have come off of a desperately self-destructive spring break. March Madness is the half-way check point to summer vacation from traditional school. This time of year brings into focus parents who are accepting that their at-risk adolescent is not going to make positive progress without professional help. Parents who desperately want their teenager in crisis to find a way to become their best are beginning to feel the pressure of making those difficult decisions.

NATWC is here to help. Although NATWC does not make referrals to summer therapeutic programs, wilderness camps, or therapeutic academic boarding schools NATWC does publish a list of requirements for membership and does maintain a list of members who attain to the high standards set by the NATWC Board. These publications are available here at the NATWC website and NATWC Executive Director, Rick McClintock is available to help guide parents through their March Madness by helping them navigate the NATWC website and telling them about the membership. Rick can be reached at 724-329-1098.

In 2006, The Mid-Atlantic Region of the Association of Experiential Education initiated the Phil Costello Award to honor the memory and spirit of Phil Costello. The Phil Costello Award was initiated to honor those individuals who demonstrate entrepreneurship and zeal in their support and promotion of experiential education. This years award will be presented to Brad Glenn at the upcoming AEE Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Northbay, Maryland, March 20-March 22 (www.mid-atlantic.aee.org).  Brad Glenn is an employee of NATWC member program, The Diakon Wilderness Center. Brad Glenn has been an employee of Diakon since 2003 as a Wilderness Specialist. In this role, Brad is responsible for developing and maintaining wilderness adventure programming for three programs that serve at risk youth. 

In addition, Brad has developed a program called Team Impact to provide team building experiences for populations from the greater community as a way of supporting the overall mission of the center. Brad has designed programs individualized for groups such as church youth groups, alternative education programs, disabled children, college age groups, corporate groups, groups of health care providers and other professional groups. This award highlights Brad’s gift of working autonomously and being responsibile for program development, as well as inspiring others to skillfully use the many experiential tools available in this field. The result is an experience that impacts the way youth and adults feel about themselves, helps them relate positively  to others, and facilitates important life lessons. Brad has a rare ability to relate to others, and is an exceptional teacher who inspires others to not only merely use experiential activities, but capitalize on those experiences through the art of processing.

Many positive comments were submitted in support of Brad’s nomination for this award. Rhoda Toperzer, The Supervisor of Diakon’s Clinical Pastoral Education Program wrote:

             “I value how Brad is perceptively attentive to dynamics in individuals and groups as a whole. He honors people’s individuality in a manner that facilitates curiosity and respect in themselves and one another. He both adeptly decides and engages others in the process of input and decision making. He is artful in his ability to invite experiences for growth, navigating between providing security and opportunities for learning, development and growth.”

 Brad Glenn is an individual that inspires others to reach new heights through experiential education and the growth opportunities that wilderness adventures and challenge activities promote. NATWC would like to congratulate Brad Glenn on receiving The Association of Experiential Education’s 2009 Phil Costello Award.

Phil Costello was an advocate for environmental and experiential education, supporter of outdoor and wilderness programming for inner city youth and a founding member of the A.E.E.  Phil began his teaching career at a high school in Trenton New Jersey in the 1960′s and spent his summers helping to build Hurricane Island Outward Bound, becoming one of their first instructors. Phil went on to found Action Bound, an outdoor education program for inner city youth. This program became the catalyst for the formation of Project U.S.E. which Phil founded in 1970. In his later years, Phil established the Baltimore Island Outward Bound Program. On December 11, 2005, Phil Costello lost his year and a half battle with bone cancer.

Currently, there are a wide variety of therapeutic methods for helping kids and adults who are struggling.  Many involve verbal approaches, while others include animals, art, or physical techniques.  With so many choices, what is the relevance today of therapeutic camping? Is it not too simplistic for our modern world?

A growing number of researchers back up the assertion that the therapeutic use of the outdoors has tremendous value for many populations in need. Richard Louv’s book, Last Child in the Woods, recounts studies that have looked at various aspects of  “green time”, with and without a therapeutic intention.  Populations found to benefit include kids with ADHD, physical disabilities, those experiencing stress, and those showing at-risk behaviors.  Some benefits were: increased concentration and calmness, more positive attitude, improved problem-solving skills, more self-direction, improved motor coordination, and increased self-esteem.  And this is before you throw in therapeutic models.

There are today many variations on therapeutic wilderness camping, with numerous  approaches to utilizing the setting for the cause of personal development.  I believe, however, that the most fundamental element of each of those, is the “wilderness”, or outdoors, which, wisely used, can bring a greater impact on a person than any therapy alone. The wilderness has a powerful effect on people when they can experience it directly; this society seems largely to have forgotten this. Which is why the movement that NATWC represents is important and relevant even in this cyber age.

Variations on Dr. Kohlstaedt’s theme seem to be popping up in conversation, on blogs and even on television. A few weeks ago on an episode of TNT’s blockbuster series The Closer Lieutenant Brenda Lee Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick) hears her boss tell her: “When you’re a hammer, everyone looks like a nail.” Wow! With a little twist here and there everyone’s saying it, but do they really get it? I guarantee after you hear Dr. Kohlstaedt fill in the gaps for this twenty-first century colloquialism not only will you get it, but you will be launched into the opportunity to have a much better relationship with the students in your programs and the families you serve.

Mark your calendar to hear Dr. Elizabeth Kohlstaedt, September 21st on Monday morning at the 15th Annual NATWC Conference.

For more information about how to secure Dr. Elizabeth Kohlstaedt to speak at your conference contact Sami Butler at samib@intermountain.org. For more information on the 15th NATWC Annual Conference register at the website www.natwc.org and be one of the first to receive the announcement when it posts.

The Symposium is part of the overall training conference September 21-23, 2008. This informative panel discussion features prominent leaders from the field of outdoor therapy and education. Representatives from industry organizations: The Association for Experiential Education, (AEE); The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, (NATSAP); College and University leaders; educational consultants; outdoor alternative programs; join NATWC in addressing a variety of historical perspectives, current issues, and a view of the importance of our collaboration for the future.

The panelists include:
Sharon Laney, Three Springs and NATSAP President; Rob Meltzer, Northlight Family Services and NAROPA University; Lon Woodbury, Woodbury Reports, www.strugglingteens.com; Leonard Buccellato, Hidden Lake Academy and Ridge Creek Wilderness Therapeutic Program; Jude Hirsch, AEE and Georgia College and State University; and Tick McClintock, Executive Director, NATWC.
The event will be moderated by Angie Senic, Eckerd Youth Alternatives.

The NATWC Annual Training Conference has always prioritized the importance of credentialing, training, recognizing, and celebrating the direct care outdoor professional. Following the symposium, clinical, educational, and outdoor skill workshops will be offered to participants.

Plenty of southern hospitality awaits everyone at this wonderful venue!
There is still time to register and attend.
Click on Conference and you will see downloadable registration, advertising and exhibiting forms in blue, as well as online payment, for personal attention call Tick at 724.329.1098.
SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!

Discovery Channel, the network that brought you The Alaska Experiment, is currently casting its next Alaskan adventure. If you think you have what it takes to live and thrive in one of nature’s most brutal environments, then we want to hear from you TODAY!

Our newest series raises the bar for our adventurers by sending them on an epic JOURNEY through the wild.

THE CHALLENGE — if you dare to accept it — is to join a band of fellow explorers and journey through some of the harshest climates and roughest terrains in the world: the Alaskan wilderness. Both an epic quest and the ultimate test of courage, this amazing journey will test its participants in ways they never thought possible and, in the process, allow them to experience the raw beauty of nature and see the world like they never have before.

Sound exhilarating? It will be! If you are ready to leave the monotony of your day-to-day life behind and push yourself to the limits, you can finally earn the right to say that you truly LIVED.

Email AlaskaProject@gmail.com and include a recent photo along with your name, phone number, city/state, and a short explanation of why you feel you are up to the challenge. You can also call 818-752-5559 for more information.

Join us. We dare you.

NATWC currently represents over 50 therapeutic wilderness programs for young people across the country. We are committed to upholding the best practices of our industry through networking, education, counselor certification, and the support of research and political action in our field. We serve as an unbiased reference for parents and professionals searching for appropriate programs.

We publish the Journal of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping, documenting and sharing cutting-edge research and advancements within our field. And we promote quality care of youth through providing training opportunities for all levels of therapeutic wilderness professionals, including our annual conference. We are also co-sponsors of the Council on Accreditation (COA). NATWC’s business and activities are overseen by a volunteer board of program directors and others directly involved in this field, from across the country.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The primary purpose of NATWC is to support the establishment and continuation of therapeutic wilderness camping organizations; with the attendant responsibility to educate the public as to the existence of such organizations and their success in helping troubled young people change their lives for the better.

Our website is being updated. If you have an immediate question, please contact us here.