SUWS embraces troubled teens and shows them the beauty of the rugged Idaho wilderness. SUWS field counselors live and work with their students and look deeply for the underlying causes of negative behaviors and then show each student how much they can accomplish through a positive channeling of energy.

We believe that all youth and adolescents who come to us are "good" inherently, and that it is our job to help them move beyond their troubles, using experiential activities that raise self esteem and self worth, increase empathy for others and that teach good communication, social skills and leadership qualities.

SUWS has been helping at-risk teens and youth for over 25 years and was the first licensed outdoor program in Idaho. We are proud to offer small group sizes and very individualized treatment.

At SUWS, your children's safety is our first priority, and so all field instructors are trained in first aid and outdoor skills and within radio contact of first responders at all times.

How Long Is the SUWS Program?

SUWS is a variable length program; lengths of stay will vary on need and progress made. Typical lengths of stay range from 4 to 7 weeks and SUWS can accept students from the ages of 11-13 and 14-17 (separated into 2 distinct programs, youth and adolescent).

Who Benefits from SUWS?

Many youth and teens who come to SUWS struggle with one or more of the following challenges/behaviors:

• Drug or alcohol experimentation, abuse or addiction
• Depression, bipolar or other mood disorders
• Defiance or oppositional defiant disorder
• Developmental problems or learning difficulties
• ADD/ADHD
• Anxiety
• Low self esteem
• Manipulative
• Lying
• Academic under performance
• Running away
• Others

With almost 30 years of experience in helping teens with emotional or behavioral problems, we can assist youth and teens facing a wide variety challenges. Certain behaviors, such as suicidal acts, self harm behaviors or psychosis disorders preclude admission into the program.

SUWS is a member of the CRC Health Group, America's largest behavioral health treatment organization. Our admissions counselors will work with you to determine if SUWS is an appropriate fit, and if not, they will assist you in finding an alternate treatment program for your son or daughter, whether within or outside of our organization.

Small Groups – Individual Attention

The SUWS philosophy of treatment demands that field instructors  and a field therapist live and work alongside students in a wilderness setting, so that they might, "seize the moment" to impart a critical life lesson at relevant and appropriate times; moments when youth and teens are receptive to listening.

To offer this type of programming, small group sizes are critical. At SUWS, group sizes do not exceed 7 students and each group is supervised by 2 field instructors and one field therapist.

The Adolescent Program 14 – 17

The SUWS adolescent program teaches search and rescue skills in a wilderness setting so that teens may live and work as a group, overcome challenges to learn necessary skills, take on leadership roles and ultimately, gain a greater sense of self awareness.

Through an 8 phased level program, students work on achieving different goals, which are:

1. Learning safety skills needed for the program (staff use this period for a week long assessment of the challenges facing each individual teen)
2. Learning self awareness – learning to identify the underlying issues that cause life problems
3. Learning relationship and interpersonal skills – practicing good communication skills and learning to recognize that authority is earned
4. Learning teamwork and service to others – learning how to offer your personal strengths to the group and to accept and respect what is unique and worthy in others.
5. Learning self reflection – learning to recognize what they've been given and what it offers to them; recognizing the consequences of actions.
6. Learning goal development – learning how to assess strengths, weaknesses and barriers and how to plan to accomplish a goal.
7. Learning leadership – learning to mentor peers and finding strengths from within to lead
8. Learning to give back

The Youth Program 11 – 13

Troubled youth at this age have needs that differ greatly from older adolescents and so they benefit from a separate program with a unique curriculum.

The youth program is a 28 day (minimum) program that offers troubled youth an experiential adventure designed to:

• Boost self esteem
• Teach problem solving skills
• Teach leadership skills
• Teach social and group skills

SUWS counselors work to root out the underlying causes of negative behaviors and provide a foundation of positive experiences for a platform of emotional and intellectual growth.

Safety

Nothing is more important than  the safety and well being of each and every student in our charge. To ensure the highest standards of safety, all field instructors receive intensive training in outdoor skills and first aid and behavior management. All field instructors carry 2 way radios at all times and are in constant radio range of first response personnel.

Financing

SUWS has teamed with the behavioral health financing provider Shauna Clark Loans, to offer parents financing services to offset the full costs of tuition. In some cases, deferring full payment can lead to monthly payments as low as $500.