Wilderness therapy programs?

[4Families]

I have a 15 year old who is basically out of control. I won’t drag it out with details but he has been enough of a problem that I will begin the process of enrolling him in a Persons in Need of Supervision program this week. His father (my ex-husband) and I do not know what to do for this child, but getting him away from his “friends” seems to be the best thing to do for him. One of the things we are considering is a wilderness therapy program. It is overwhelming, though, to try to research them. How do we know what a good one is? Is there any benefit once the child gets home, or is the only benefit that it at least temporarily breaks his bond with the people he currently hangs out with?

Has anyone on this forum sent a child to one of these programs, or do you know someone who has sent a child? By any chance has anyone actually been sent to one, and could you share your experience?

There do not seem to be any Catholic programs of this kind. I have heard of the Cenocolo (?), a three-year program which I believe originated in Spain, but it is not what we are looking for. I would love to have a spiritual aspect to a program since I believe his problem is spiritual at the core, but I don’t know of any options in that regard.

If anyone can share what they did do for a child in this situation, what worked for you, I would appreciate it.

 

[monicatholic]

You are right the the Cenocolo is for recovering addicts.

Does your boy have a diagnosis? Is there sexual abuse in his history? I ask because both proper meds and abuse counseling are valuable. So are intense and consistent prayers for healing of memory in abuse survivors.

As for programs, dont Boystowns still have some facets of catholic spirituality in their program? I guess id look first to Boystown.

 

[4Families]

Thank you. There is not abuse that I know of. I will check Boys Town. Thank you.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Somehow I missed this post, sorry.

Two possibilities: Outward Bound, and Subiaco Academy in Arkansas.

I have posted in your other thread. I have other recommendations but they are not Catholic, but Christian. At some point, it is more important that the teen is saved, as long as our faith is not denigrated. JMO.