Vantage Point by Aspiro - Clinical Wilderness Therapy Program for Struggling Teens
Why should I enroll my child in Vantage Point by Aspiro?
There are many names for it: “outdoor therapy”, “wilderness therapy” or “adventure therapy”. The reason for the tremendous growth in programs offering wilderness and adventure therapy is that it is the very best way to challenge struggling teens and build new confidence and skills. Our number one priority is for each child to experience success! When adolescents struggle with feelings of low self esteem, frustration or insecurity, they benefit richly from learning new physical, emotional and relationship skills.
Many adolescents are not able to adequately process life lessons by simply talking about them. We have all had the experience of “telling” someone what is good for them, but it rarely has the desired outcome.
Many adolescents, especially those with learning or emotional difficulties, have not yet developed that ability to process information verbally and apply it to their lives. Many struggle with connecting cause and effect in their lives. These connections are best made through experience. Playing, relating, working, having fun, trying, struggling and trying again are crucial to healthy adolescent development.
Life at Vantage Point by Aspiro is focused on these experiences.
As our students play, work, try, experience difficulty, try again and eventually succeed, we help them generalize these success experiences to the rest of their lives. Motivation and feelings of self worth and inner strength are developed through facing new challenges and doing things that are out of their comfort zone. Each student is treated with respect and dignity. They learn respect for themselves and others.
Our students have fun, work hard, face their fears, work through interpersonal difficulties, repair relationships with family and learn about themselves. Vantage Point by Aspiro is all about learning and growing!
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 lesson, 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.
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.
