Complete Program Outline

 

 

Program Elements

The Journey Wilderness program consists of five 10-day "Passages."

During first 10-day Passage, the teen will receive a full psychological evaluation (which is included in the cost of the program). This evaluation includes IQ testing, an academic screener to identify any potential learning problems, and a personality test battery to examine possible mental health issues. It also includes a substance abuse assessment and a current mental status exam. If the evaluation indicates further difficulties, additional testing can be completed at the request of the parent. The psychological evaluation is used to create an individualized treatment plan for the youth, which will form the basis of therapy for the rest of the wilderness program. It can also be used to make recommendations for the youth after the program is completed.

The five 10-day Passages follow the five Stages of Change, and each Passage has a different personal value theme and a name that describes the Passage goal. Using a Wilderness Expedition as a metaphor for change, the names describe both the components of an expedition and the internal journey one must take to make changes in his or her life.

Passage Names, Value Themes, and corresponding Stage of Change:

Passage 1: Survey	= Honesty	(Pre-contemlation)
Passage 2: Chart	= Respect	(Contemplation)
Passage 3: Prepare	= Trust	(Preparation)
Passage 4: Embark	= Courage	(Action)
Passage 5: Journey	= Self Discipline	(Maintenance)

The Five Passages:

Each passage of the program has a Guide Book which contains the learning modules and the student assignments. (Parents will receive copies of the Guide Book so they can see what their son or daughter is learning.) The passages correlate with the Stages of Change Theory.

Passage #1: Survey

Theme: Honesty
Pre-contemplation Stage of the Stages of Change Theory

This passage begins with self-evaluation... the youth has to ask, "How did I get here?" He/she has to have the humility to take a hard look at the patterns of behavior which have may have become destructive and be willing to get honest with himself/herself and the family. It is really a time of coming to grips with why the teen needs to change. Finding the motivation to change and getting ready to change are essential components of this passage. On a daily basis the emphasis is on personal accountability and responsibility. Sometimes it is very difficult to admit that you have a problem.... Therapists and staff will help the young men and women realize that good people can make mistakes and poor choices and that they now have the opportunity to turn things around before they get too far down that negative path. Part of the process is to discover who he or she really is, to look for truth, and to develop personal integrity. The youth then begins to explore possibilities within him/herself.

Passage #2: Chart

Theme: Respect
Contemplation Stage of the Stages of Change Theory

During this passage, the youth gets a chance to explore and discover both strengths and weaknesses. The teen is essentially learning his/her "Modis Operendi,” or internal way of operating. What does she do when she experiences stress? How does he communicate with others? How does she form friendships and foster relationships? How does he solve problems? And of course, how do they make choices? Here they begin to develop a sense of community and an appreciation of parents and family. They are encouraged and invited to use a positive attitude to make every day a personal best. They are also taught that it is ok to ask for help and that setting goals and planning ahead is the best way to get what you want in the future. The youth begins to get a vision of what he/she is capable of being.

Passage #3: Prepare

Theme: Trust
Preparation Stage of the Stages of Change Theory

This is the passage where the rubber really hits the road. The youth will be identifying specific behaviors and ways of thinking that keep them from developing their true potential. Here they will be learning new skills which they will use to change the things that get in their way. Some areas that youth typically work on are: confronting their own thinking errors, improving judgment, thinking before they act, changing their behavior, modifying patterns of response to others, developing self-efficacy, and strengthening will-power. In this passage, the youth begin to glimpse their own potential as they become more self-sufficient and here is where the true change of heart begins. By embracing the process of change, they are able to move forward and see that they are changing.

Passage #4: Embark

Theme: Courage
Action Stage of the Stages of Change Theory

In this passage the youth take action. They implement the things they have been learning and practice skills. By now they have identified the things they want to change and have learned new ways to deal with problems and move forward in their lives. Also in this passage the youth focus on their relationship with others, particularly their families. The youth work on developing communication skills, re-establishing trust, experiencing empathy, and increasing tolerance. Starting with their families, they learn how to express love and appreciation, they increase their understanding of their family, and, when necessary, they begin to repair and restore their core relationships. This requires a heightened self-awareness and understanding how he/she is perceived by others. As this applies to peers, they will begin to ask themselves "How do I fit in? What am I willing to do to be accepted? When must I say no?" They will also work on anger management and strengthen their appreciation of diversity. Listening skills are emphasized on this passage, as well as the impact that maintaining a positive attitude can have on all tasks, especially difficult ones. For youth who have developed a negative group of friends at home, the reasons for this and a way out of it will be explored.

Passage #5: Journey

Theme: Self Discipline
Maintenance Stage of the Stages of Change Theory

As with any newly learned skill, practice is necessary to solidify learning and to "work out the kinks." On this passage the youth will fine tune the things they have been working on. He/she can hone skills and begin sharing what he/she has learned with others by teaching and being a good example. We call this example-ship, a quiet form of leadership. Here humility again comes into play as the youth willingly strengthen their community by serving it. It becomes a "show me, don't tell me" process where the youth demonstrates empathy, caring, and clear follow-through. They are maintaining the changes they have made and they are "Real." Here the true change of heart becomes apparent.

Relapse Stage of Change

People are human, and although we may have the best intentions, it is nearly impossible to embark on a journey of self-discovery and change without making a few missed steps. Often the term Relapse has been used to describe a time when a person who is trying to overcome a substance dependency makes the mistake of using again. However, Relapse can describe any time we "lapse" back into an old habit of behavior. The road to change can never be a smooth and perfect one. Relapse is a part of change and must be handled in that way. Some days we just don't feel like doing it the "right" way, and we fall backward a bit. More important than thinking we can always avoid relapse is having a way to make a Relapse a learning experience. If we fail and try again, we will be stronger and better able to face future challenges. So... we anticipate Relapse in the program and after the program by helping each teen develop a personalized Relapse Prevention Plan (for whatever behavior or thinking errors they are working on) and teaching them how to use a Relapse to continue and strengthen their journey toward change and self-becoming.