Some of the wilderness camps use hippotherapy with the kids. Hippotherapy is a type of treatment that involves the horse and its movements. This strategy is executed with the help of a physical, occupational or a speech therapist. Hippotherapy is used to address the physical, psychological and cognitive issues of teenagers and even adults.

During a session, each kid is accompanied with three people (the leader, the side walker and the therapist) and, of course, the horse. After this treatment, the teenager will have a better attitude towards himself or herself, others and even situations. His or her behavior will also be improved, especially if should there be any unacceptable behavioral pattern.

Some of the wilderness camps are reformatting their programs and services by extending to the adult population. Emotional, behavioral and even learning problems don’t stop after being teenagers. These camps often offer different kind of approaches. For example is the so-called dual-diagnosis approach, a kind of treatment that include clinical and 12-step methodology.

Most of these camps provide mental health treatment like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, relationship difficulties, self-harm, anger management, family issues and other undesirable behavioral pattern.

Such facilities also offer substance abuse treatment, like understanding the nature of addiction, relapse prevention, learning to cope up with sober lifestyle, and dealing with school or employment difficulties.

Teenagers between 13 to 17 years old, who suffer from behavioral and emotional issues, can enrolled in a wilderness camp. Their issues should include oppositional defiant disorder, teen depression, learning disabilities and other negative conditions. In turn, they affect socialization, self-esteem and school performance. Most these kids are struggling and eventually self-medicating. Some of them usually resort to substance abuse, isolation and expect instant gratification.

Generally, teenage issues often result from parent-child conflicts, particularly regarding rules and limitations. Adolescents usually desire for their own freedom, because they believe that they are already adults. They somehow are entitled to independence.

Teenagers are required to have a psychological exam before they can enter the camp. Parents can request a particular test. Each test is optional. These tests can include:

* Pschological and Psycho-educational evaluation – this includes IQ test, academic achievement and personality, social/emotional functioning. This test is usually used to measure treatment needs, academic and cognitive strengths and weaknesses and aftercare.

* Psychological evaluation – this assessment concentrates on the personality, emotional and social functioning of the kid.

* Psycho- educational evaluation – focuses on the teen’s IQ and academic capacity.

There are also other types of exams, which specifically address the needs of the teenagers:

* Neuropsychological evaluation – measures the sensory perceptual functions, such as visual, auditory and tactile modalities. It also evaluates motor functioning, language and communication skills, and other intellectual and cognitive skills.

* Attention Deficit Disorder evaluation – evaluates attention, disctractability, impulsivity, concentration and hyperactivity.

* Dyslexia screening – tests any possible learning disability in reading.

Who are the kids in the camp? There are different teenagers who are enrolled in a wilderness camp. These kids usually seek for another chance by changing their behavior. Their parents believe that through the help of mother nature, their teenagers will change for the better.

Most of these kids have a difficult time dealing with the issues that come along with growing up. As adolescents, there are several things that they need to cope up, such as physical and emotional changes. They are also challenged of the fact that they have to prove their self-worth and independence. In some cases, both peer and cultural pressure can lead them into alcohol/drug abuse, aggressiveness, suicide, eating disorders and other abnormal behaviors. These risk factors are often the result of poor decision.

One of the issues of parents about wilderness camps is safety. How safe are wilderness camps? Actually, the camps have many field staff members who are equipped to handle first aid and risk management. Every team in the camp has their own staff, who constantly communicate with the central station or the headquarters though two-way radio. Each team is often checked several times per day. Hence, all the teams have their own mobile phones and satellite phones. Emergency support crews are also available 24 hours that could readily respond anytime. In fact, most camps assign one staff for every three to four kid, plus the therapist or counselor whose responsible for their cases.

The camp directors and other professionals are also directly involved during the entire process. Their participation assures the safety and effectiveness of the programs.

Many ask how the wilderness could save or change troubled teenagers. See, the atmosphere of the nature provide a rich, safe and healthy environment for the kids. It enlightens their mind and gives them a more positive perspective. They will be able to understand and process their emotion, which lead to personal responsibility. Hence, they can already make choices that are socially acceptable.

Feelings or emotions are highly important. Take note that having them in their extremity does not justify bad behavior. In the camp, teenagers are helped to understand that their behavior is a choice. In turn, they will gain control over their choices while improving their self-worth.

The wilderness camps let nature teach teenage kids to own their feelings and become responsible as individuals. When such kids try hard to survive, it is a good sign because they are gradually responding to the “call of nature” to become better people.

The general mission of most wilderness camps is to change the negative behavior of teenagers, and replace them with better and positive conduct. Such facilities intend to enhance the physical and mental health of teenagers through nature’s challenges. They also encourage kids to make some lifestyle changes, as far as  thoughts and preferences are concerned that have adversely influenced the behavior.

For many teenagers who have been living at the convenience of the modern world, the natural environment can be a very intimidating place. However, the idea of challenges often motivate the kids to strive hard to understand and adapt to their new environment. In turn, they will embrace self-discipline through self-discovery and readiness to conquer the risks. Also, their confidence will be renewed. They will become mature and endure self-worth.

Generally, wilderness camps have four areas that help teenagers overcome their issues. They are nature experience, individual therapy, the family and group or peer therapy. The camps usually reinforce the teenage kids to get from modern distractions. Consequently, the transition of environment enables the kids to acquire or reacquire the essential social skills that they have lost to being bad. In turn, they will have a better and easier experience during the treatment period.

During the individual treatment, the kids spend time with their therapist. The sessions often include activities that allow personal growth. The therapist also observe and evaluate the bad behaviors of the teenagers, and then lead them to constructive activities. The series of process will help kids replace their negativity with new and positive thoughts.

The family also plays a very important role during the program cycle. Their support will mean a lot to the healing of the kids. Communication between parents and the kids should be improved or reestablished.

In other activities, teenagers are encouraged and expected to be with other kids. The relationship of the kids with their peers is also equally important. It will test their dynamics as being part the group. As a result, they will be able to reflect with the experiences of others.

Remember that wilderness camps might be similar in their programs. Generally, their aim is to provide a safe and healthy environment for teenagers (troubled or not) so they can become better individuals. They mostly emphasize on “taking responsibility for actions or behaviors.” Thus, they encourage kids to express themselves in ways that might not hurt other people. Here are some examples of wilderness programs:

 * Increasing exercise
 * Developing outdoor skills
 * Learning to work with others
 * Trust-building
 * Problem-solving
 * Guided communication with parents and other family members
 * Developing strong social skills
 * Exploring of personal issues through group processing
 * Developing course goals