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. Eagle Phase:
Awareness of Self
Each child begins his or her program in the Eagle Phase. In this phase,
children work on identifying problem behaviors, reasons why they are
here. During the Eagle phase we encourage 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
Adherence to Ascent agreements
Awareness of coping skills, behavior patterns and personal issues
Learn basic skills
II.
Mouse Phase: 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 contribute to
the group.
Mouse Phase includes:
Trust-building
Developing communication skills
Problem solving
Exploring of personal issues within a group
Learning to work with others
Guided communication with family
III.
Bear Phase: 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 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 are
taking on more leadership within the group and begin helping out
newer students.
Bear Phase includes:
Moving from external motivation to internal motivation
Peer leadership roles
Using new skills to solve old problems
Pushing past self-imposed limits
IV.
Buffalo Phase: Transfer of New Skills and Roles
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 new students
and assist with planning the days activities. They become leaders
within the group and share
their experience with their peers.
Buffalo Phase 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


