SUWS Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does SUWS stand for?
A. In its formative years, SUWS was known as The School of Urban and Wilderness Survival, with the focus on a basic survivalist approach. It gradually grew into a more comprehensive treatment program with an emphasis on combining the undeniable impact of the wilderness with an emotional growth-oriented curriculum. Today, you might say SUWS stands for Structure, Unconditional support, Wilderness impact, and Success - plus a whole lot more!

Q. Why do kids with ADD/ADHD seem to thrive at SUWS?
A. Location, location, location! The unique SUWS environment, with its high level of structure, small group sizes, "cause and effect" curriculum, and emphasis on relationships and positive reinforcement makes for an ideal setting to begin building healthier coping behaviors and interpersonal skills. Our model affords much-needed structure and consistency regarding the treatment team, peer group dynamics, and provides a sense of completion.

Q. Why are words like "Field Supervisors" and "field instructors" used to describe the SUWS staff instead of "therapists" and "counselors"?
A. Many students participated in therapy or counseling prior to coming to SUWS. If they learn that they will be working with a counselor or therapist, they may be tempted to approach the program using the words, stories, and (perhaps) manipulations they used in the past. We use words like "student," "supervisor," and "instructor" to differentiate SUWS from other, more familiar and predictable approaches to treatment, and this unpredictability is crucial in the initial work we do.

Q. Why does the Field Supervisor wait five days before beginning individual and group work with the students?
A. The reason SUWS reaches adolescents faster and more intensely than any other program is because we have mastered the art of pattern work. We allow plenty of time for the students' maladaptive coping patterns to emerge and eventually become a problem for them. This process takes patience and time and a great deal of skill and finesse on the part of the instructors. If field supervisors were to begin their work earlier, students would still be in their patterns of control and not nearly as eager or motivated to accept support and guidance. Also, if the students think they will be "doing therapy" when they start the program, they may be tempted to act or talk a certain way to meet perceived criteria. Not knowing what's ahead for a week or so is a powerful tool.

Q. Why do SUWS Field Supervisors spend so much time in the field?
A. SUWS field supervisors don't simply do outpatient therapy in a wilderness setting. Some programs have the therapists conduct a set number of individual and group sessions per week. SUWS field supervisors play an integral role in the entire therapeutic process and are available to their students at any time. Seizing the moment is crucial in the work of the field supervisor, and some of those "moments" occur outside of a typical 9-to-5, five-days-a-week schedule. This level of commitment and availability enables the students to experience guided emotional growth work when they are ready to receive it.

Q. Where is your program located?
A. SUWS Youth is based in Shoshone, Idaho, and our wilderness programs operate in the rugged and beautiful Bennett Hills area in the southern part of the state.

Q. What types of students is your program prepared to serve?
A. SUWS Youth is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of young adolescents (ages 11 to 13) who are demonstrating negative behaviors and unhealthy coping patterns.

Common behaviors and symptoms among SUWS Youth students include low self-esteem, defiance, dishonesty, manipulation, rebellion, impulsivity, running away and academic failure.

Q. Do any disorders or issues disqualify a student from enrolling in your program?
A. Every student is personally evaluated to ensure that their strengths and needs are consistent with the services that we provide at SUWS Youth. Approval for enrollment in SUWS Youth is contingent upon clinical appropriateness, family commitment and physical fitness. For more information about admission criteria, visit our Admissions page.

Q. How much will treatment cost?
A. Because we offer comprehensive and highly individualized services and varying lengths of stay (from 28 days to nine weeks), costs associated with enrolling in SUWS Youth depend upon a number of personal factors.

Our intake advisors will be happy to work with you to develop a detailed financial picture based upon your family’s unique needs.

Q. Does your program accept insurance or provide financing options?
A. If you have health insurance and would like a statement of your child's SUWS Youth placement, we will be happy to provide you with it. However, SUWS Youth is unable to directly bill insurance companies and therefore requires parents to assume this responsibility independent of tuition payment.

Financing is available through our partnership with Clark Behavioral Health Financing.
CBHF features multiple loan products with competitive rates, and a possible deferral of interest for up to 6 months with no prepayment penalties or cancellation fees. For more detailed information visit our Tuition & Financial Assistance page.

Q. Who will be supervising and working with my child?
A. In addition to being supremely talented, dedicated and experienced, the members of our academic, clinical and administrative teams hold a range of credentials, licenses and certifications.

For more specific information about the professionals who make SUWS Youth such a powerful and effective program, visit our Staff page.

Q. Is your program licensed?
A. Yes. SUWS (our parent program) is proud to be the first licensed outdoor program in the state of Idaho.

Q. How long will my child need to remain in your program?
A. We offer flexible lengths of stay, depending upon the unique history and specific needs of each student. The average length of stay at SUWS Youth is four to nine weeks – though in certain circumstances students are able to make significant strides in enrollment periods as short as 28 days.

Q. Does your program have an academic component?
A. Yes. On their first day with SUWS Youth, all students receive a curriculum manual that contains philosophy, practical skill instruction, stories, journal assignments, and history and science lessons. Students are often able to receive transferable credit for completing their SUWS Youth curriculum.

Q. What types of therapeutic/clinical support will my child receive?
A. Your child will work with a team of treatment professionals, including a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Director, Field Supervisors/Therapists and Field Instructors. We also provide on-site testing for cognitive, emotional, behavioral and related psychological issues on an as-needed basis.

We limit student groups to a maximum of eight children led by a core treatment team that includes one Field Supervisor and two Field Instructors. With a student to staff ratio of 2½ to 1, students receive the personal attention and care they need to ensure a positive, self-affirming experience.

For details visit our Treatment Team page and our Testing Services page.

Q. What is a typical day like for a student in your program?
A. SUWS Youth is an innovative, dynamic program that focuses on the unique needs of the specific students with whom we are working. As a result, every day at SUWS Youth is unique – but never disorganized. For a detailed look at a day in the life of a SUWS Youth student, visit our Daily Schedule page.

Q. How much involvement will I have in my child’s experience at SUWS Youth?
A. We recognize the importance of the family in the growth process, and we are proud to provide a range of wonderful tools and resources for the parents and families of our students. For more detailed information visit our Family Support page and read about our Family Camps.

Q. How do you prepare students (and families) for life after they complete your program?
A. The SUWS Youth Troubled Teen Treatment Program supports your child's long-term success by offering support with aftercare placement. A case manager works with the field supervisor/therapist and can provide information about educational consultants and programs that may be appropriate for your child upon completion of the SUWS Youth experience.

Q. How can I learn more about your program?
A. Call (888) 879-7897 or visit our Contact page. We look forward to having the opportunity to discuss the many benefits of our program and to answer all of your questions about SUWS Youth!