A guide's perspective:
The kids in my group had major life issues to deal with: drug addiction, alcoholism, depression, extremely low self esteem, gender identity issues, homeless/runaway issues, and various forms of abuse.  Most of these students had been through rehab and loads of therapy and I wasn't sure how a trip like this would work out...but it was amazing - my favorite trip by far.

The kids were taken out of their element right away - they had never seen snow and our trail was covered in it. All facades were lost as they slid all over the place learning how to walk in snow.  Their "tough" personas were lost at the trail head, and they never looked back.

Each night I was blown away as kids shared their life stories and encouraged one another. As the days went on, the kids became more reflective, and responsible for themselves and each other. I think these trips work for one main reason - they offer something for everyone.

My depressed kids were able to see outside themselves. They listened to other kids' life stories, and realized that they were not the only ones with problems...Some got lost in the grandeur and wonder of the wilderness, they saw themselves as small and God as Big. One girl told me every night what prayers God had answered for her that day. Several months after the trip she wrote to me and said that God was still answering her prayers, and that her time in the forest had taught her to trust Him - even with the little things.

My kids with low self esteem were challenged daily.  My kids that were dealing with drug addiction and alcoholism benefited most from activities (ropes course, rock climbing, river rafting, sky diving, back packing...) that provided them with a natural high. I don't know how many times I heard someone say "this is really fun" or "who knew being sober was cool?".  The trips provided nightly AA/NA meetings and the kids shared openly about realizing how their choices had affected themselves and others.

Overall, the trip gave the kids time to just be, to think, to laugh. By allowing these things, the kids felt accepted, they owned the trip as their own and had an incredible, life changing experience.

--Heather Dunn, Chemical Dependency Counselor and Ph.D. in Counseling student