Congratulations to Lauren on her beautiful new earth name - Opal Firefly!

Desert living revolves around water. Groups make a "water run" once or twice per day to ensure we remain hydrated and have water for cooking, hygiene and staying cool.

“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” ― Marcus Aurelius

An artistic cairn does more than mark the location of a camp. It reflects the desire to do even the most mundane task with skill and pride in a job well done. This can indicate an individual contemplating his place in the world and gaining a desire to make a difference.

"(Our son's staff) both spoke some profound and powerful words to (him) at the graduation ceremony that will carry on in our hearts and minds. Amazing staff that had a firm, caring understanding."

Humans have always used ceremony to emphasize the things society values most. There is a strong positive reinforcement when clients experience a ceremony designed to recognize their achievement. A little preparation can add significantly to the impact of a ceremony.

Milan happens each staff change day. The outgoing staff introduce each client to the incoming staff. An honest assessment of the last 8 days is presented. Successes, struggles, ego state and state of change. The client states his goal for the coming week and starts fresh.

Congratulations to Calcite Vulcan on his earth name! May it serve him well in the coming years!

Fire ban ended just as the night air took an Autumn chill. A warm fire on a chilly night has a calming effect that that imbues the sense that all is well - at least in this moment.

From time to time we find symbols of struggle and victory left behind by those who also used this land for healing. It's an honor to be part of this legacy.

Some embrace the storm while others shrink from it. The rainbow at the end of the storm is available to everyone regardless of how they receive the storm.

Leaving the high country means winterizing the water sources before the deep freeze hits. We are almost to our wintering grounds to enjoy the warmer weather for the cold season.

Nature reminds us to check our thought processes. Our life becomes better when we can differentiate imagined threats from actual threats. This gentle fellow is a threat only to the insects it eats yet often elicits a fight or flight response from humans.

Animal trails and waterways often lead us through difficult country with ease. Similarly, a good mentor can help us navigate the complexities of life by exemplifying healthy living. Follow the paths of those leading the life you would like to live.

New staff undergo the same mentor process as new clients. We call this form of backpack a "blueberry". A new staff learns how to roll all of his gear into a tarp and how to secure it with pack cord to create a backpack. Two inch webbing creates shoulder and waist straps.

Each word in the "earth name" is chosen because it represents a quality we see in that individual. The name reflects the respect the individual has earned while working with these amazing at-risk kids. What qualities do you think the name Dawning Fire Lotus represents?

Bi-weekly medical checks are conducted in person by our highly qualified medical team. Clients even meet with a clinician via Zoom thanks to technology previously unavailable to us in the wilderness. Client access to health care has never been this easily accommodated.

Being away from family can be difficult for clients and staff during the holidays. Our amazing staff step up to the challenge and provide a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings! A great meal and a cheerful attitude creates a meaningful day that all will remember.

Along with a grand feist, Thanksgiving was about playing games and interacting with the community in positive ways. Games provide the opportunity to practice social skills without thinking about it being therapeutic.

The uniformed often believe wilderness therapy is a place of misery. In reality, fun and levity are a part of each day. Impromptu comedy such as a pair of gloves on feet, may not be your kind of fun, but we enjoy these small interactions with each other.