SUWS Youth Wilderness Program

Our mission is to cultivate a solid foundation of personal self worth and value from which students and their families rediscover hope through positive reference experiences.

SUWS Youth is among the oldest outdoor experiential programs in the country. Founded in 1981, we have been providing guidance and support to children and their families for more than 25 years. The SUWS Youth Program is a 28-day minimum, outdoor experiential program addressing the needs of struggling youth between the ages of 11-13 who are demonstrating negative behaviors and unhealthy coping patterns. For the younger adolescent, the youth wilderness program provides a challenging and rewarding experience that gives each child a positive foundation for future growth. Opportunities for building confidence, problem-solving, and tangible success are provided to each student. Emphasis is placed on positive peer influence and leadership. Parents are given hands-on experience to address behavior patterns, gain new resources, and see their child as a person capable of change and success.

Research and developmental psychology indicate that 11-13 year olds have very specific needs, namely, safety, security, and predictability. They think in concrete terms and need tangible experiences from which to build. The SUWS Youth Program addresses these needs by providing an outdoor environment, in which a child grows through positive reference experiences.

SUWS Youth excels at addressing the underlying cause of negative, unhealthy behaviors and working through impasses brought about by internal struggles, rather than confronting outward behaviors only. Common behaviors and symptoms that manifest negative feelings and beliefs include:

Guiding Principles:
Youth and Family, Growth, Teamwork and Service