Frequently Asked Questions
PDFWhere is your program located?
SUWS of the Carolinas is located at the base of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in western North Carolina, approximately 45 minutes east of Asheville, two hours west of Charlotte, and four hours north of Atlanta.
Our base includes an office complex, instructor residences, training facilities, residential cabins for students, full shower house and laundry facility, and commissary. Groups in the field remain in contact with base personnel via phone / radio 24 hours per day, and are readily accessible in the event of an emergency.
What types of students is your program prepared to serve?
We specialize in treating young people ages 10-17 who are experiencing low self-esteem, depression, entitlement issues
Do any disorders or issues disqualify a student from enrolling in your program?
How much will treatment cost?
Because we offer comprehensive and highly individualized services, costs associated with enrolling in SUWS of the Carolinas depend upon a number of personal factors, including (but not necessarily limited to) anticipated length of stay and the nature and severity of the issues the child is struggling to overcome.
Our admissions advisors will be happy to work with you to develop a detailed financial picture based upon your family’s unique needs.
Does your program accept insurance or provide financing options?
If you have health insurance and would like a statement of your child's SUWS placement, we will be happy to provide you with it. However, SUWS is unable to directly bill insurance companies and therefore requires parents to assume this responsibility independent of tuition payment.
Financing is available through our partnership with Clark Behavioral Health Financing.
CBHF features multiple loan products with competitive rates, and a possible deferral of interest for up to 6 months with no prepayment penalties or cancellation fees. Learn more.
Who will be supervising and working with my child?
In addition to being supremely talented, dedicated and experienced, the members of our academic, clinical and administrative teams – including master’s-level and doctoral-level therapists – hold a range of credentials, licenses and certifications.
For more specific information about the professionals who make SUWS of the Carolinas such a powerful and effective program, visit our Staff page.
Is your program licensed?
Yes. SUWS of the Carolinas is licensed by the State of North Carolina. We are hold active memberships in the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), the National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps (NATWC), and the Association for Experiential Education.
How long will my child need to remain in your program?
We offer flexible lengths of stay, from four to seven weeks.
Does your program have an academic component?
Yes. Students receive a curriculum manual on the first day that contains philosophy, practical skill instruction, stories, journal assignments, and history and science lessons. Upon completing our program, students are often able to receive transferable credit that will be accepted by their home schools.
What types of therapeutic/clinical support will my child receive ?
Treatment – not the development of hiking or survival skills – is the primary focus at SUWS of the Carolinas. Students progress through a sophisticated level system designed to assist them in mastering age-appropriate developmental goals.
While on the trail, students participate in outdoor activities and take part in daily group processing sessions, and staff / peer counseling. During intensive therapy or "layover," students participate in individual and group therapy sessions while completing program curricula and therapy assignments.
Learn more on our Clinical Approach and Wilderness Works pages.
What is a typical day like for a student in your program?
Follow these links for information about life on the trail, program phases, and a sample daily schedule.
How much involvement will I have in my child’s experience at your program?
We recognize the importance of the family in the growth process. Our family component includes a four CD audio series, an online parenting resource, weekly treatment planning sessions, and a three-day parenting workshop. For more detailed information visit our Family Program page.
How do you prepare students (and families) for life after they complete your program?
Trail’s End is the culminating experience for families at SUWS of the Carolinas. Upon graduation, parents attend a one-day seminar designed to prepare them for a successful reunion with their child and transition into their continuing care plan. Then families spend two days together in the field reconnecting, practicing new ways of interacting, and celebrating the child’s accomplishments during their journey at SUWS of the Carolinas.
How can I learn more about your program?
Call (888) 828-9770 or visit our Contact page. We look forward to having the opportunity to discuss the many benefits of our program and to answer all of your questions about SUWS of the Carolinas!