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SUWS of the Carolinas Celebrates 10 Years of Success Treating At Risk Teens in the Wilderness
By Staff Writer
SUWS of the Carolinas, one of the most reputable and well-established wilderness programs in the country, celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2009.
SUWS of the Carolinas began as a sister program of the highly successful wilderness therapy program, SUWS Idaho. Building on the history and reputation of SUWS Idaho, SUWS of the Carolinas has established itself as one of the premier wilderness programs in the U.S.
Wilderness Camp Safety: Putting the Risks in Perspective
Fear is a major motivator for all people. We worry that an airplane crash, outbreak of West Nile virus, terrorist attack, deadly snake bite, or vicious shark attack is just around the corner. Because the media serves up images and news stories that feed into our fears, the real-life risks can sometimes get blown out of proportion.
Since the introduction of wilderness programs, the media has spread news of isolated injuries that cast a shadow on wilderness therapy. Unfortunately, risk is a natural part of daily life, and camps or outdoor activities of any kind come with risks. Wilderness programs have turned around the lives of thousands of troubled teens during that time. It would be a tremendous loss if families miss an opportunity to enrich their child's life because of over-inflated fears.
Safety First: How Wilderness Camps Keep Teens Safe
There is a hint of risk in everything we do, and wilderness therapy programs are no exception. But it is important to keep the risks inherent in outdoor activities like hiking, building a campfire, and setting up and taking down tents in perspective.
Wilderness programs are quite safe - safer, in fact, than many home environments, and significantly safer than many high school activities. A study conducted by the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Industry Council showed that children are more at risk playing high school football or driving a car than participating in a wilderness program.