Welcome to San Juan Wilderness–Experiential by nature

What if you could take the best aspects of wilderness therapy?

• the challenges of wilderness living, along side highly qualified therapists and counselors?
• but do away with the typical drawbacks: a monotonous schedule that seldom changes, backpacking circles in the desert and rehashing mistakes of the past?
• and replace them with rich life experiences, including service learning projects like Habitat for Humanity and trail building, natural science labs and exciting adventure courses like rock climbing, kayaking and mountain biking?

..so that students can take the next step, to explore and embrace their new identity in this challenging and supportive environment.
We help them to reach beyond mistakes of the past and realize their fullest potential for success.

Beyond wilderness therapy-a comprehensive intervention of therapy, real world competence and adventure.

San Juan Wilderness – Program Outline and Schedule

The San Juan Wilderness Program has six key elements.

I. Therapeutic Wilderness Expeditions – Personal Growth through Perseverance. Students spend 2-3 weeks per month backpacking in the pristine mountain wilderness of the San Juan Mountains, participate in daily therapy and academic sessions, and complete service-learning trail projects for the National Forest. In addition, our highly structured schedule and level system are key aspects of student life.

II. Base-Camp Life – Lessons in Responsibility and Cooperation. Students spend 1-2 weeks per month living at the base-camp, without any modern conveniences like electricity or running water. They prepare all their own meals (a low-fat, sugar- and caffeine-free diet), chop and split wood for heat and cooking, and do their laundry with a washboard.

III. Service Learning Projects – Learning in Action.
Student receive 40 hours per month of project-based service-learning. The benefits of learning new skills, applying those skills and realizing one?s potential for accomplishment are best realized through hands-on experience. Project partners include Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the National Forest Service, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and local food banks, homeless shelters and senior citizen groups.

IV. Academics – Creating Independent Learners and Thinkers. Our curriculum of experiential natural science lessons and labs were developed and are taught in the field by our licensed science teacher as well as seasoned field staff.

V. Adventure Education – Real Challenges offer Real Self-Esteem. Our students spend 5-6 days per