Wilderness therapy is a popular treatment option among young adults, who have struggled with finding motivation in other areas of their life and developing positive peer relationships. At our adventure therapy program, young adults have the opportunity to engage in fun, exciting activities within a healing, supportive environment that offers more amenities and therapeutic services than traditional wilderness therapy programs. While not all of the experience is fun and games, we encourage our clients to enjoy themselves! After all, if clients are having a good time during their journey towards healing, they are more likely to be engaged in making changes for themselves.
How are Adventure Therapy Programs and Wilderness Therapy Programs Similar?
Both adventure therapy programs and wilderness therapy programs are rooted in the concept that nature is a powerful tool for healing. Spending more time in nature helps push young adults out of their comfort zone, carves out time for self-reflection, and uses natural “consequences” as a symbol for one’s therapeutic process. When wilderness guides talk about natural consequences, they are usually referring to losing daylight hours, lack of group cohesion, and difficulty with self-care. Participating in outdoor activities as a group helps young adults build responsibility and greater social awareness of how their behavior and affects their relationships.
What is the Difference Between Adventure Therapy and Wilderness Therapy?
One of the major differences between adventure therapy programs and wilderness therapy programs is that wilderness therapy programs often use a nomadic model, where students spend their time on expedition backpacking and learning primitive outdoor survival skills. In contrast, adventure therapy programs usually offer a base camp with more traditional therapeutic resources between outdoor activities, which go beyond hiking. Most participants in adventure therapy have limited experience with adventure activities when they first participate. As they become more engaged, not only do they gain the skills necessary to succeed in the activities, but their self-perception and self-identity change and they start to see themselves as able to succeed in other areas of their life.
What are the Benefits of an Adventure Therapy Program?
- Participating in a variety of outdoor activities. Adventure therapy is about more than just hiking–there is something for every young adult to enjoy! Through exciting adventure-based activities like mountaineering, bouldering, and canoeing, clients step outside of their comfort zone and build translatable skills such as leadership, teamwork, and accountability.
- More comforts at base camp. Base camp allows for a greater sense of normalcy with showers, phone conferences with family members, and laundry. When it’s cold, we shift inside to heated Geodesic domes and propane-heated yurts. Night groups are done inside with lights illuminating the way.
- Community service component. On a regular basis, we bring clients to local environmental programs, community service efforts, and agencies to give back to the community. Service work has many benefits–improving well-being, boosting relationship skills, learning through experience, and helping prepare for future careers.
blueFire PulsaR Can Help
blueFire PulsaR is a co-ed adventure therapy program for young adults ages 18-28. Adventure therapy, wilderness ventures, equine therapy, academic opportunities and “family spark” are used to help students open up and look at their life. From there they are able to experience growth and adopt healthy self-management skills. This program is dedicated to helping students regain a better sense of the world around them while addressing their emotions and needs head-on. We can help your family today.
Contact us at 208-269-7407 for more information about adventure therapy.