//Third, you HAVE to force them to do this! Show me any kid that does drugs, willfully endangers the welfare and safetly of his own family members, has unprotected sex with multiple partners, runs away from home, etc. that WOULD do this program of their own free will. Show me! You'd be wrong to think otherwise!//
Wrong again.
Outward Bound's Accent, operates entirely on willing participants.
The teen must be willing to attend and is given all the pertinent info before hand - the rules, the conditions, the activities, and so on.
They must have a complete physical and in some cases have a referral or recommendation from a therapist that they are mentally fit for the challenge.
There is no need for forced confession or intimacy with strangers, as this is not the goal.
The whole idea is to teach the kids they are capable of accomplishing things they would not have considered possible - and the hope that they will then transfer this knowledge about themselves to other aspects of their lives.
They do not berate or humiliate the participants. If a kid is falling behind they do not call them names or insist they are malingering or manipulating.
They strive to foster team work as well as individual decision making skills.
They don't strive to create stress and frustration - but rather a calm self assurance. Its all about you can do it, and have fun while you do it, and we'll teach you how.
Sadly, it is the success of this model that has bloomed into all these wanna be programs that really do not understand why and how Outward Bound's accent program "works". They are dangerous imitations of the real thing - somewhat like bootleg liquor.
While they will take a kid experimenting with drugs - they can't take some heavy users - b/c they can't have them de-toxing on corse. They can't take kids with serious conduct disorders - b/c they would be a danger to themselves and others in the wilderness. They don't try and pretend they can help everybody - and consequently for those they do accept they really can help.
http://www.outwardboundwilderness.org/t ... scent.htmlAscent courses are for 14 - 17 year old boys and girls who struggle with:
Poor school performance
Anger management
Defiance
Low motivation
Risky behaviors such as experimenting with drugs or alcohol, sneaking out, or truancy.
We?ve designed this course not for serous juvenile offenders, but to be an early intervention for teens who may have started down a self-destructive path, but who have not yet burned any vital bridges.
We cannot accept kids who:
Are chronic runaways or drug users
Have a history of suicide attempts
Have a pattern of violent behavior
Are not stable due to a diagnosed mood disorder or a recently prescribed medication
We fully understand that your teen may not be highly motivated to come here. We do, however, require that they agree to participate and follow our rules. For tips and suggestions on how to present this opportunity to your child, or to find out more about what's in it for you as parents or guardians, call one of our Admission Advisors at 800 328 2943.