NATWC Conference 2009
By Rick McClintock | January 2, 2009
The National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping
is busy planning another NATWC Training Conference!
We will hold the conference September 20, 21, 22 2009
on Beautiful Jekyll Island Georgia at the Villas by the Sea. Many folks were really excited by last year’s conference, but HEY! When did NATWC “NOT” have a spectacular event! Last year’s “symposium of collaboration” between industry organizations, was a huge success, thanks to all who spoke and presented.
NATWC has a history of getting some of the industry’s biggest names together for presentations to Direct Care and Administrative Staff alike. Conference attendees stated they like to come out of the “woods and mountains” to network and train at “the beach”. “Best Practice” includes professional training for staff, networking on state of the industry topics, and “recharging the batteries”, so children and families get the best services possible! The conference committee has lined up many good workshops and presentations that can be applied to the Wilderness Counselor Certification process. Join us in this effort!
If you are a seasoned presenter, or a staff looking to present your skills on a national arena for the first time, let us know by forwarding a Call for Presenter Workshop Description, located on this site.
WE”VE GOT GEORGIA ON OUR MIND!
2009 Membership Drive and Renewal
By Rick McClintock | January 2, 2009
THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THERAPEUTIC WILDERNESS CAMPING WISHES YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
2009 promises to be another exciting year for programs using the outdoors for education and therapy! The NATWC Conference Committee is busy planning another exciting NATWC Training Conference September 20, 21, 22 2009 at Jekyll Island Georgia’s Villas by the Sea.
The New Year also brings about our annual NATWC membership drive and renewal.
NATWC membership continues to be a low cost way to be “at the table” when networking, industry advocacy and Wilderness Counselor credentialing and recognition are the entrée’s.
Organization, Corporation, Business Rate - $200 annually
College/ University Rate - $100 annually
Individual Memberships - $ 75 annually
Student Rate (with current school ID) - $ 25 annually
The National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping membership includes:
· www.natwc.org organizational representation and informational link.
· The Journal of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping.
· Free information for families seeking outdoor program placements.
· The latest CD version of the Wilderness Counselor Certification; an amazing compilation of historical and philosophical perspectives, research submissions, and the NATWC curricula for wilderness counselor credentialing.
· Member discounts for the Wilderness Counselor Certification.
· Discounts at the NATWC annual training conference.
· Membership decal and certificate.
· Association and networking opportunities with programs, individuals, colleges, universities and businesses in the outdoor education and therapy industry.
· Job Postings.
· Event bulletins and postings.
The National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping continues to be a low cost way of staying connected with the industry-wide picture. Our annual training conference is still one of the most cost efficient ways of supplementing your staff’s training needs. Your staff will return from the yearly conference with new skills, new contacts, and a renewed energy to face the daily challenges of outdoor programming.
Vendors and sponsors find the atmosphere friendly and return with new business contacts.
Parental Choice
By Rick McClintock | November 18, 2008
The National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping does not maintain a list of the top 50 [wilderness] programs nor does NATWC rate wilderness camps or therapeutic schools and programs. NATWC has never rated, listed by positive outcomes or negative press, any therapeutic wilderness programs nor have we recommended a specific program to a parent. NATWC makes available to every parent the roster of members for their personal reference. NATWC encourages every parent and guardian seeking placement for their at-risk adolescent to complete their own due diligence with regard to the program or school they are considering.
The Therapeutic Camps section of NATWC website lists organizational members. Organizational membership is based on wilderness programs and therapeutic schools that agree with the NATWC mission, philosophy, and ethical standards. NATWC encourages all members to pursue program quality improvement and best practice through accreditation and licensing efforts; and by continuous training and credentialing of their direct care staff. NATWC does not assume any responsibility for the implementation of training, credentialing and/or accreditation by member programs. NATWC’s Wilderness Counselor Certification is one template for programs and direct care staff to enhance their professionalism. NATWC does not license or accredit outdoor programs.
The National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping does not make referrals to any specific member wilderness programs or therapeutic schools; no money has ever been given or received in exchange for the information that is shared with inquiring parents. NATWC will continue to assist parents in connecting with member programs.
Collaborative Efforts
By Rick McClintock | November 10, 2008
The 15th Annual NATWC Training Conference has created a buzz. Held in Jekyll Island Georgia at the end of Summer 2008, the conference took a new and exciting focus. Not only did NATWC conduct the usual training sessions designed for front line outdoor staff, but a Symposium regarding industry issues pertinent to outdoor programming was the feature!
Titled “The State of the Industry Symposium,” NATWC invited several well known individuals with wide experiences to participate. The panel included Sharon Laney, President of the National Association of Schools and Programs (NATSAP) and Administrator Rosemary Tippett, Rob Meltzer, CEP, educational consultant and founder of Northlight Family Services, Lon Woodbury, CEP, Educational consultant and publisher of Woodbury Reports; Leonard Buccellato, Ph.D., Founder of Hidden Lake Academy and Ridge Creek Wilderness; Jude Hirsch, Ed.D., Chair of the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) Accreditation council, and Rick “Tick” McClintock, MA, Executive Director of the National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping (NATWC).
It is often considered a risk to convene a 3 hour discussion at a conference setting, but this format, its timeliness, and its intent to create a collaborative platform for multi-organizational perspectives was a hit!
The topics were kicked off by discussing the proposed legislation by Congressman George Miller, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this year. Rose Mary Tippett, NATSAP, described the legislation, and the current efforts being undertaken to ensure that legislation would be for the enhancement of safety and quality of services in the outdoor treatment and education industry, and not just to shut programs down. Rose Mary enlightened the crowd on how to assist in a positive process for overall “Best Practice”.
“Tick” McClintock emphasized that NATWC’s establishment and growth of their Wilderness Counselor Certification is one of the organization’s primary contribution toward increasing standards and establishing best practices in the wilderness industry.
Conference participants emphasized that as professionals the need to work to continually improve the quality of our services and increase our ethical standards is a priority. Marketing successes as well as encouraging parents of alumnae to step forward to tell their story is critical to aid in defining the positive outcomes in an often misunderstood treatment modality.
Issue # 1: The Economy, with its’ impact on the industry took a positive and collaborative spin in the Symposium, as programs described how they were responding. Ways of keeping costs down, such as identifying and eliminating small unnecessary items which often add up to significant expenses, as well as thorough examination on how to better serve the needs of families to enhance “added value” for those we serve, were focus points.
Another noteworthy discussion was the evolution of outdoor programming, with early programs being almost exclusively wilderness or outdoor oriented. Simple camping out or wilderness survival basics have evolved to added clinical and educational components to enhance overall outcomes. The dialog of the future of outdoor programming will most suredly continue as regional perspectives, and historical philosophies play a major role in how to more successfully integrate wilderness and therapy.
With continued collaboration as we witnessed at this year’s NATWC conference, we, as outdoor therapists and educators, can look forward to a State of the Industry that is indeed good.
Next year’s NATWC Annual Training Conference will again be held on beautiful Jekyll Island, Georgia, September 20-22, 2009, as conference participants vocalized their enjoyment at spending some time networking, training and playing at the beach! Hope to see you there!
The State of The Industry Symposium
By Rick McClintock | September 5, 2008
The National Association Of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping presents the “State of The Industry” Symposium, September 22nd at the Annual Training Conference at “Villas by the Sea” on beautiful Jekyll Island, Georgia.
The Symposium is part of the overall training conference September 21-23, 2008. This informative panel discussion features prominent leaders from the field of outdoor therapy and education. Representatives from industry organizations: The Association for Experiential Education, (AEE); The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, (NATSAP); College and University leaders; educational consultants; outdoor alternative programs; join NATWC in addressing a variety of historical perspectives, current issues, and a view of the importance of our collaboration for the future.
The panelists include:
Sharon Laney, Three Springs and NATSAP President; Rob Meltzer, Northlight Family Services and NAROPA University; Lon Woodbury, Woodbury Reports, www.strugglingteens.com; Leonard Buccellato, Hidden Lake Academy and Ridge Creek Wilderness Therapeutic Program; Jude Hirsch, AEE and Georgia College and State University; and Tick McClintock, Executive Director, NATWC.
The event will be moderated by Angie Senic, Eckerd Youth Alternatives.
The NATWC Annual Training Conference has always prioritized the importance of credentialing, training, recognizing, and celebrating the direct care outdoor professional. Following the symposium, clinical, educational, and outdoor skill workshops will be offered to participants.
Plenty of southern hospitality awaits everyone at this wonderful venue!
There is still time to register and attend.
Click on Conference and you will see downloadable registration, advertising and exhibiting forms in blue, as well as online payment, for personal attention call Tick at 724.329.1098.
SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER!
Discovery Channel Alaska Challenge
By Rick McClintock | August 5, 2008
SEEKING ADVENTURERS FOR NEW DISCOVERY CHANNEL SERIES
Discovery Channel, the network that brought you The Alaska Experiment, is currently casting its next Alaskan adventure. If you think you have what it takes to live and thrive in one of nature’s most brutal environments, then we want to hear from you TODAY!
Our newest series raises the bar for our adventurers by sending them on an epic JOURNEY through the wild.
THE CHALLENGE — if you dare to accept it — is to join a band of fellow explorers and journey through some of the harshest climates and roughest terrains in the world: the Alaskan wilderness. Both an epic quest and the ultimate test of courage, this amazing journey will test its participants in ways they never thought possible and, in the process, allow them to experience the raw beauty of nature and see the world like they never have before.
Sound exhilarating? It will be! If you are ready to leave the monotony of your day-to-day life behind and push yourself to the limits, you can finally earn the right to say that you truly LIVED.
Email AlaskaProject@gmail.com and include a recent photo along with your name, phone number, city/state, and a short explanation of why you feel you are up to the challenge. You can also call 818-752-5559 for more information.
Join us. We dare you.
Welcome to NATWC
By admin | June 25, 2008
Welcome to the National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping (NATWC).
NATWC currently represents over 50 therapeutic wilderness programs for young people across the country. We are committed to upholding the best practices of our industry through networking, education, counselor certification, and the support of research and political action in our field. We serve as an unbiased reference for parents and professionals searching for appropriate programs.
We publish the Journal of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping, documenting and sharing cutting-edge research and advancements within our field. And we promote quality care of youth through providing training opportunities for all levels of therapeutic wilderness professionals, including our annual conference. We are also co-sponsors of the Council on Accreditation (COA). NATWC’s business and activities are overseen by a volunteer board of program directors and others directly involved in this field, from across the country.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The primary purpose of NATWC is to support the establishment and continuation of therapeutic wilderness camping organizations; with the attendant responsibility to educate the public as to the existence of such organizations and their success in helping troubled young people change their lives for the better.
Our website is being updated. If you have an immediate question, please contact us here.
Checklist
By admin | February 7, 2008
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ARE NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN ABSOLUTE ANSWER TO ANY CONCERN YOU MAY HAVE BUT THEY SHOULD HELP YOU ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS TO GET A SUITABLE ANSWER.
General Program Questions
1. How long has the program been in operation?
2. How long has the program been licensed? By whom? (What govt agency)
3. Is the program affiliated with any professional organizations? which ones?
4. How many children is the program licensed for?
5. How many children are currently enrolled?
6. Describe your admission criteria.
7. How will I know my child is appropriate for this program?
8. What type of supplies and clothing does a child need upon admission?
9. How often is the family contacted by the program with progress reports?
10. Are there currently any lawsuits against the program? Any in the last five years? If so, what for?
11. Has the program or any staff member ever been charged with physical or sexual misconduct against a child in the program? any program?
12. (If applicable) How often will the family be allowed to visit, phone, write while my child is in the program?
13. Does a child ever receive consequences? A group? If so, what do they consist of?
14. (If applicable) Are physical searches conducted? if so, how and by whom?
FAQ: What are wilderness therapeutic camps?
By admin | January 7, 2008
There are two basic types of wilderness therapeutic camps. These can be described as long term and short term camps.
Long Term Camps
These programs usually consist of large base camps located on large parcels of wilderness property. Usually these camps consist of a few central, permanent buildings such as schools, offices, dining halls, maintenance facilities, etc. There are also several small campsites in which groups of 8-12 campers live with their counselors on a year ‘round basis. The campers build their own tents in these programs. They are responsible for cooking some of their own meals and planning their own activities with guidance from their counselors. Read the rest of this entry »
FAQ: How successful are wilderness therapeutic camps?
By admin | January 5, 2008
Various follow-up studies have determined that 75-80% of the young people who complete these program experience significant improvement in the problems that brought them to the programs. The success rates of wilderness therapeutic camps compare very well with the success rates of other residential treatments facilities.
Are boot camps considered to be wilderness therapeutic camps?
Boot camps are not considered to be wilderness therapeutic camps. Boot camps are great programs for training military personnel. There is little evidence of long term success of these programs in bringing about change in the emotional problems that are the basis for problem behavior in adolescents.
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