Vantage Point by Aspiro - Information For Students
Our Program
Our expeditions inspire self-discovery and character development through challenge and adventure!
Our students achieve more than they ever thought possible. They show compassion for others and actively engage in creating a better world.
On a typical week, our students come into base camp for about 24 - 72 hours before leaving for the next expedition. Each time they leave, they experience a different expedition.
A sample expedition or "adventure"
Wednesday: Eat a Dutch Oven meal in base camp, participate in individual therapy, have group discussions, get clean laundry, get food and supplies for the next adventure
Thursday: Outdoor or indoor climbing instruction and practice, more individual and group discussions
Friday: Travel to southern Utah, camp
Saturday through Monday: 30 miles of backpacking with canyoneering in slot canyons
Tuesday: Get hot showers and return to base camp
Other expeditions and activities include mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, caving, top-rope climbing, bouldering, rappelling, hiking, primitive living skills, river running, canoeing
With an emphasis on safety, our professional outdoor therapeutic guides teach all skills necessary for students to master these activities for the rest of their lives. Finding new hobbies and interests to replace the old behaviors is part of the healing process.
"What kinds of students will I be with?"
At Vantage Point by Aspiro, we work with great young men and women just like you. Our students come to us because they are having some difficulties with the important transitions of adolescence. They come here to learn and grow and have a lot of fun too! We believe our students are not “broken”, but just need some help figuring a few things out. You will find Vantage Point to be an important and memorable experience in your life. You will find the other students in the program will become fast and deep friends. You will find support, acceptance and encouragement from your peers. We believe in an environment of openness and acceptance.
We all have great things to offer the world and each other!
"Who will help me at Vantage Point?"
Our professional outdoor guides, therapists and other staff are passionate about help young people. They love the outdoors and helping young people learn to love the outdoors and learn safe outdoor skills. Our guides are highly trained and very warm and supportive. We believe in treating students with respect and dignity.
Vantage Point is not a “boot camp” where we are going to try to break you down. We will establish relationships based on respect and high expectations. We believe in you!
Our Philosophy
When a new student comes to Vantage Point by Aspiro, we treat them with respect – we think it should feel similar to a transfer from one high school to another. We do not attempt to "break down" students.
Vantage Point by Aspiro adventure therapy is focused on significant, positive change in a short period.
The therapeutically rich nature of our program helps to reduce resistance to treatment and enables our students to understand the need for change. Further, it gives them the skills and motivation necessary to make positive choices, which lead to future success. Our students participate in an expedition-style adventure where nature has a way of healing. With direction from dedicated and caring staff, our students are led along a path where hope and healing begin.
While continued therapy remains the primary focus of Vantage Point by Aspiro, students are also taught many life lessons, character development and adventure skills designed to enhance their quality of life for years to come. Our goal is to connect our students with outdoor and adventure skills they can take with them and that will enhance their lives forever!
Adventure activities vary depending on the time of year and other factors, but include whitewater river trips in rafts, kayaks or canoes, skiing, snowboarding, top-rope rock climbing, caving, mountain-biking, horseback riding, primitive living skills, hiking/backpacking, arts and crafts, etc. Each activity helps students climb to a higher level of self-efficacy, and help them learn real life lessons. The goal is to give them tools for success with their family and friends.
Vantage Point by Aspiro believes it is not enough to do traditional therapy alone. Our model and our daily life on the trail combine research and theories from:
• Solution Focused Therapy
• Positive Psychology
• Self Efficacy Theory
• Self Determination Theory
• Sequencing in Adventure Therapy
• Character Development Theory
• Conscience Use of Metaphor
• Anatomy of Peace
Our expeditions inspire self-discovery, connection with family and character development through challenge and adventure. Though we are not a faith based or religious program, there is room for personally based spirituality and many students connect with their higher powers (family, society and spirituality) as they are inspired by nature and the process of personal growth.
What kind of food do students eat?
At Vantage Point by Aspiro you will eat food you would normally eat if you went on a backpacking trip yourself. We have gone to great lengths to provide a variety of healthy and tasty food. We have three different weekly menus so students don't eat exactly the same thing each week. Students have enough food for more than 3000 caleries per day.
Below is a sample menu for a week:
Snacks
2 Luna bars: choco mole, coconut cream pie
4 Cliff bars: black cherry, crunchy peanut
6 fruit leather: strawberry, apple
12 pcs Mrs Mays almond crunch
1 Hershey bar
3 c cheddar snack sticks
7 pieces dried mango
14 pieces dried apple
3 and 1/2 cups Trail Mix
½ c wild rice snack sticks
½ c Chinese rice crackers
1 c peanuts
¼ raisins
¼ c wasabi peas
¼ c cashews
¼ c almonds
¼ c walnuts
Nutella
Drinks
2 servings lemonade
4 tea bags
Breakfast
1 c instant brown rice
1 c red beans
1 c oatmeal
1 c bulgar wheat
mixed freeze dried berries
1 ¼ c vanilla almond granola
1 ¾ c Soymilk
½ c turbinado sugar
Lunch
2 3 oz pkg salmon
2 oz freeze dried veggies: corn, peas,
Fresh Carrots, broccoli
1 box triscuts
4 Thai Kitchen: Spring Onion
1 c white quinoa
1 bouillon cube
Dinner
2 c refried bean mix
2 c instant brown rice
2 c corn chowder
8 oz soba noodles
1 pkg stir fry sauce
1 pkg tortillas
8 oz pepper jack cheese
We also provide additional fresh fruits and vegetables each week.
