A Successful Alternative to Boot Camp

How Wilderness Therapy differs from Boot Camps

People often confuse wilderness therapy with juvenile boot camps. Boot camps have their origin in the juvenile justice system and utilize military style approaches to discipline to change the student. The philosophy of wilderness therapy is one in which the staff develop relationships based on compassion and respect and utilize nature as a teacher. Boot camp programs utilize physical and psychological aggression toward students while wilderness therapy programs create therapeutic opportunities as students face the unpredictable circumstances that emerge in nature.

In wilderness therapy, students must endure the natural hardship of living in the outdoors, creating a great opportunity
for building confidence and self-reliance and learning to work with others. Boot camps use coercion and obtain control through the use of intimidation and manipulation and take advantage of a person’s fears. Wilderness therapy and boot camps are completely different forms of working with youth and are based on entirely opposing philosophical approaches. Wilderness therapy is based on compassion and the honorable journey of self-discovery.

Open Sky’s Proven Results

Open Sky is extremely effective at helping troubled teens and young adults make considerable gains in self-confidence, preventing relapse, and changing problem behaviors. And most importantly, Open Sky graduates maintain these gains for up to a year after graduating.

Open Sky’s university-led research conclusions are based on empirically validated instruments that are conducted with each student and their family. Most programs conduct satisfaction surveys at the conclusion of treatment with its students and families. These surveys are an important measure for customer service but not for determining if the program actually works. Open Sky’s research proves that it works for struggling teens and young adults.