Frequently Asked Questions

With wilderness therapy being such a broad topic and a variety of approaches used by different practitioners around the world, we aim to answer some of the most pressing questions you might have here.

What is Christian Wilderness Therapy, and does it work?

We define Christian Wilderness Therapy as a 40 day Christ-centered nomadic (backpacking) wilderness experience that combines the best wilderness practices with the best practices in mental health. We talk a lot about Retreat, Restore, Revive. We retreat to the wilderness where we encounter Christ. We are restored through His grace and mercy and return to give back to the community and spread revival. Our Executive Director has written a paper on this if you are interested in more details.

How long is the program?

40 days plus a 3 day graduation adventure

What age range or kids do you accept into the program?

14 – 17 with certain exceptions depending on when they turn 14 or when they will turn 18.

Do you accept boys and girls? If so, are they kept separate or integrated during the program?

We do accept both boys and girls. Boys and girls groups are segregated and do not interact during the program.

What is the process for getting my child enrolled?

There are a few steps in the process: 1. Fill out a simple form. 2. Our admissions staff will review the simple application. Then, our admissions staff will direct you to fill out the full application, or if we feel we are not a good fit, we will refer you to another program. 3. The clinical team reviews the application and decides whether your child would be a good fit. 4. Sign the acceptance letter. 5. Pay a deposit (to cover cost of gear) and complete the enrollment packet. 6. Arrange for your child’s transportation.

What do I get for the cost of tuition?

Seeds Wilderness Therapy is not a summer camp or a regular outdoor program. Unlike those programs, Seeds is different in that we run a 1:3 student ratio, and our field instructors are at least 21 years old and have extensive training, including therapeutic training, CPR, QMAP, WFR, PCS and more. We have a Doctoral level clinical director and licensed therapist who meets regularly with the students, creates plans, and follows up with parents on a weekly basis. We have a licensed physician who regularly checks in with the staff and students to monitor their health and safety. A 2-3 day graduation trip/celebration at the end of your child’s stay at Seeds helps to reintegrate your family together in a fun way. We also provide a pre-, post-, and 180-day assessment to measure progress and success. Furthermore, we engage in a 3-month aftercare program to help transition students back to life at home. Seeds provides great value for the investment compared to other wilderness therapy programs.

Do you accept insurance?

No, we do not bill insurance directly. If you would like to obtain insurance reimbursement, we will give you information on how to do this

Do you accept Medicaid?

No. Here is a link to some donor-funded programs or programs that may take Medicaid.

What are other ideas on how to fund this program?

We can help you set up your own fundraising site or apply for a grant from our Teen Rescue Fund. Additionally, you can go here for some initial ideas.

My child is not a Christian, but we are interested in your program. Will my child be forced into your religion?

You and/or your child do not have to be Christian to attend the Seeds program. That being said, we are distinctly Christian, and your child will be exposed to the teachings of Jesus. We do not use manipulation to “force” our kids to accept Jesus. No one in our program is forced to make a decision or say certain words. Your child will not be required to participate in prayer or Bible study, however, we do expect him/her to be respectful of the beliefs of others. For more information regarding our position, you can access that here.

Is your program safe?

The “wilderness experience” has inherent risks that we can not avoid. We believe that our trained staff are among the best in the industry. We have a passion for safety and seek to make every day safe.

How do I know that my child will be a good fit for Wilderness Therapy?

We will not accept a child we do not believe could benefit from the program. We have several referrals to whom we can connect you if Seeds is not right for your child.

Wilderness therapy may be appropriate for the student who has difficulty finding health in the following problem areas (on a case-by-case basis):

Finding a positive identity
Anxiety-related to food and meals
Entitled/grandiose/distorted thinking
Social skills
Attention or focus in school or other tasks
Substance use or abuse
Truancy/school avoidance
Sense of self is viewed as negative
Fluctuations in mood
Personality disorders
Controlling angry, verbal outbursts
Minor self-harm
Unintentional damage is done to property as a result of impulsive/angry behaviors

Grieving or experiencing loss both relationally or situationally
Promiscuity or seeking attention inappropriately
Adjustment to changes
Identifying attachment bonds as unsafe (family, friends, role models)
Isolation or loneliness
Coping with learning differences
Communication is ineffective
Gaming to distraction or avoidance of everyday life expectations
Finding security after traumatic events
Finding motivation for healthy pursuits
Anxiety
Overwhelming sadness or Depression
Overly externalizing or internalizing problems

My child is an outdoor novice. Is that a problem?

No, in fact, this can be an advantage. We will provide all the clothes and outdoor gear required, which your child will take home with them at the end of their time at Seeds. We will also provide all the training they need. We create a supportive community in which your child will learn. After a few weeks, they will be rock stars at outdoor living. It is not uncommon for students who have been there only a couple of weeks to be training other less experienced students. The student will emerge from the program competent in the wilderness.

We live at or near sea level. Should we be concerned about altitude sickness?

Some people can experience altitude sickness when going above 8500 feet. Our team is trained in caring for altitude sickness, and we will do everything we can to help your child adjust to the altitude difference as quickly as possible. Drinking plenty of water before arrival will help with this acclimation process.

Will wilderness “fix” my child, or will I need to send them to another program after this one?

We will not “fix” your child, but we will help them to grow! We believe that wilderness therapy can be a catalyst for change in a teenager’s life and is a good fit for the parent who has tried everything and is not sure where to go from here. It took a long time for your child to escalate to where they are now. It most likely will take some time to get them back to baseline. For many kids, wilderness therapy prepares them to function in a structured social environment. Thus upon graduation, it is common to move to a therapeutic boarding school or similar program. Ultimately it depends on the child and how they respond to intervention.

Why pick wilderness therapy over other more traditional options?

Wilderness works when other options don’t. It often makes a lot of sense to try other options first. If it doesn’t work, then come back, and we can talk. Wilderness provides an opportunity to disconnect from the busyness and stressors of life that other programs can not get away from. Parents often use wilderness therapy to prepare their child for the longer-term educational program they may need but would get kicked out of if they went there first.

How will I get my child to your facility?

You are more than welcome to bring your child to Seeds. If that is not feasible we recommend Safe Passage Transport. They have many years of experience transporting at-risk youth.

Where will my child be located during WT, and for how long?

We operate under permit out of the National Forest and have access to over 80k acres on the Uncompahgre Plateau. Each group has an itinerary and check-in a minimum of twice per day. We have weekly food drops accessed via jeep roads into the forest. Your child could hike anywhere between 1-8 miles per day. How far we travel depends on a variety of conditions. We are more concerned about the process than getting somewhere specific. Each student stays with us for 40 days.

What does an average day in the traditional wilderness therapy program look like?

Here is a day in the life of a student.

Time		Activity
Start	Stop
7:00	8:00	Devotionals, Quiet Time, Journaling
8:00	8:15	Break down shelters, get to camp
8:15	8:30	Daily Goals Group
8:30	9:15	Breakfast Cycle, and preparing to hike
9:15	9:45	Break down camp
10:00	12:00	Hiking
12:00	12:45	Personal lunch – reflection or staff-student 1 on 1’s or working lunch with a psycho-educational group
12:45	4:00	Hiking
4:00	4:30	Camp Set-Up
4:00	4:45	Bow Drilling for fire
4:45	5:00	Bow Drill process group
5:00	6:30	Dinner
6:30	7:00	Hang Bear bags, camp tidy, one on 1’s, etc.
7:00	8:00	Game or Reading
8:00	9:00	Psycho-educational group or Bible Study
9:00	10:00	Journalling, Prayer, Staff ups, etc.
10:00		Lights Out

		Psychoeducational groups can include personal work where the groups may sit around an individual student for their feedback or written work: life story, impact letter, or restoration letter. Additionally, these groups may be processing groups or teaching groups. These could range from spiritual, emotional, group culture, or individual needs (i.e., addiction, depression, shame, etc.).

		Sabbath will include time to worship God and focus on His transformational word. This will be done at an applicable level to the students in the field. We are non-denominational and will work to allow the student to find the peace and hope of Christ’s love. Our Pastoral Care staff work to integrate student therapeutic goals into their Sabbath teaching. This Sabbath day will be a non-hiking day.

If my child is in wilderness therapy, what does communication with them look like?

We have formal communication that we will facilitate as part of the program. This looks like letter writing once a week, allowing the whole family to slow down and take more time in reacting/responding. In addition to that, we will transport letters/printed emails into the field and pick up outbound mail once a week. Your student’s therapist will keep you up to date on the progress made.

My child has medical needs on a daily/weekly basis. Would they be able to receive this kind of treatment in WT? (Epipen, MDD medication, etc.)

Our field staff are trained in medication administration and will secure and administer medications while the student is in our care. A record is kept of all meds administered, and all medications are accounted for. The parents’ responsibility is to provide the list of medications, doses, and a 40 day supply.

Do I need to allocate time and money to come to Colorado for my child’s graduation?

Yes, Seeds will plan to host parents for the graduation trip, so that will not cost extra. Parents will need to budget for travel to and from Montrose.

How will you prevent my child from getting the Coronavirus?

Being outdoors significantly reduces the likelihood of transmitting Covid-19. We travel in groups of 10 or fewer at a time and regularly check vitals and other health checks. Each student has a personal shelter. While there is no guarantee that your child will remain virus-free, we believe that the wilderness is one of the safest places to be for the coronavirus.

What are the qualifications of your staff?

Our field staff are mature adults who have professional experience in the outdoors and working with youth. They are required to have over 100 hours of yearly training in addition to first aid, de-escalation, and emergency trainings. Our clinicians are licensed therapists and have experience in wilderness therapy and working with youth.

What happens after graduation? Do you have any follow-ups? If so, is that included in your pricing?

We will provide a pre wilderness assessment, post wilderness assessment, and a 180-day post wilderness assessment to track progress made by your teen during and after their experience with us. We will make specific recommendations depending on each child’s needs. If the child requires additional time in a therapeutic boarding school, we will discuss that before graduation. Additionally, we provide an aftercare program we call Paraclete that continues after graduation. This is a time where we help your child make the transition from wilderness to real life. Your student will have weekly calls with their Paraclete Coach.

What accreditations or affiliations do you have?

Our child care license number for the state of Colorado is 1745202. We operate under a use permit by the USFS and BLM. We are pursuing accreditation through AAE and OBH.

Therapeutic approach and strategies

Seeds is committed to the mental, spiritual, and physical health of adolescents ages 14-17. Confident that we are created in the image of God, Seeds gives care and support to adolescents who are interested in effecting change in their family, community, peer group, and the local church. Through therapeutic strategies based on empirical evidence, Seeds provides experiential and interpersonal services that allows the individual to explore their emotional, spiritual and physical needs in a safe, caring, supportive environment surrounded by the wonder of God’s creation.

Each student is part of a positive peer culture of up to 7 students, led by adult guides and mentors. Students attend group and individual therapy sessions weekly with experienced licensed therapists proficient in wilderness therapy interventions. Trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, attachment-based therapy, family systems, trauma-informed, substance abuse treatment strategies, and motivational interviewing, our therapists are skilled communicators, educators, and role models to adolescents as they face the challenges of secular ideology. Through extensive assessment and treatment planning, individuals with their families build healthier strategies for bonding and togetherness. By partnering with the students’ support structures at home, Seeds’ aim is for our graduates to transition to the next healthiest environment for them, equipped with new skills for increased likelihood of success and satisfaction.

Community Approach

As powerful as clinical treatment strategies can be, they are best practiced in an environment where the individual has the freedom to “try on” these new skills. Students will create their personal goals and practice in a group of their peers where caring feedback can be given. This encourages students to work from their strengths and gives opportunities to learn how to respond and grow in the moment. Daily group activities provide the structure and opportunity for these check-ins. These activities focus on building team unity through trust, openness and honesty. Each student has a curriculum in which they receive clear expectations and directions. This guides their wilderness experience and their emotional growth.

Parent program

Each family has a therapist assigned to coach them in a parallel process alongside their student. The therapist and parents will create family goals that inform individualized treatment plans. Family members are asked to participate in structured communication through letter writing. In these letters, they will learn how to express their hopes and struggles to allow them to engage effectively with one another. Family members have one phone call a week with their family therapist in addition to a weekly update with their students’ therapist. Parents should plan to attend a 3 day graduation adventure at the end of the program.