THE ASCENT EXPERIENCE

Located in the pristine Selkirk Mountains of Idaho, Ascent's 200 acre campus is an ideal environment for emotional growth, self-awareness, and healing.

Students live in two separate base camps and sleep in large tipis erected on wooden platforms that are heated in winter. The pole-frame dining hall has a permanent roof and canvas walls and is warmed by a wood stove. Nutritious meals are professionally prepared. There is a heated shower room. A 50-foot Alpine Tower and climbing wall are located on-site. A full-service hospital is only seven miles away.

On arrival, each student is outfitted entirely with brand new clothing and mountain gear, everything he or she will need for their experience at Ascent.

Ascent's curriculum is divided into four phases:

I. Orientation: Awareness of Self

Each child begins his or her program in Orientation. In this phase, children work on identifying problem behaviors and their underlying issues. Orientation encourages your child to ask the question, "What do I do and why do I do it?" in reference to their behavior and actions.

Orientation includes:

Introduction to the program
Adjustment to the environment
Clinical assessment and treatment planning
Assessment of physical and medical issues
Adherence to Ascent agreements
Awareness of coping skills, behavior patterns and personal issues
Start of exercise program


II. Pre-Course: Responsibility for Actions

This phase encourages children to answer the question, "Now that I'm aware. what do I do next?" This will help children understand what it means to take responsibility for their behaviors. Your child will learn to express themselves within their group and complete tasks that prepare them for the backpacking course.

Pre-Course includes:

Trust-building
Developing communication skills
Problem solving
Exploring of personal issues within a group
Developing Course goals
Increasing exercise
Developing outdoor skills
Learning to work with others
Guided communication with family


III. Course: Experimentation with New Behaviors

This phase encourages children to ask the question, "What new tools can I experiment with to achieve better results?" Your child will use the secure environment of their Course group as a mirror to see their own behaviors and will feel comfortable in taking personal risks by experimenting with new tools such as self-reliance. Your child will naturally learn the value of self-reliance as they cook their own food at the campfire and prepare their own shelter.

Course includes:

Two-week backpacking experience
Interacting within a small group
Moving from staff direction to group direction
Using new skills to solve old problems
Pushing past self-imposed limits
Understanding group interdependence
Achieving and experiencing success
Climbing the Alpine Tower™


IV. Transition: Transfer of New Skills and Roles

After returning from the Course backpacking experience, children enter the Transition phase. In this phase, your child will work on the question "How do I take what I have learned with me?" Their task is to begin to apply new skills and tools to their lives and prepare for the next step after Ascent. Along with doing a great deal of personal reflection, children in this phase also mentor Orientation and Pre-Course children. They become leaders at base camp and share their experience with their peers.

Transition includes:

Developing an individual plan for success
Outlining transition agreements
Developing a support resources list
Establishing leadership role with new students
Participation in a Family Workshop
Graduation