wilderness program – Walk the Moon

The Ridge- REPUBLISHED

Into the Wilderness: Story 6 Our rented SUV was one of the last in the parent caravan. We drove along winding paved roads until we turned off onto dirt pathways, passing white clapboard houses nestled among the hills, weathered with moss, a lone horse, a few sheep hugging dilapidated barns. Then, we turned onto pittedContinue reading “The Ridge- REPUBLISHED”

Happy Birthday- Republished

Into the Wilderness: Story 5 On Catina’s 15th birthday, I gave her a drug test. She walked in the door from school, a rare smile on her face, and, without as much as a “hello, honey, happy birthday,” I stretched out my arm, holding the small cylindrical container for urine collection. Surprising me, she laughed.Continue reading “Happy Birthday- Republished”

Sunshine- Republished

Into the Wilderness: Story 4 When Catina went into the wilderness, we did too. Our wilderness was inside us, the intricate branching of thought and memory that builds up over time. The feelings we had pushed aside- that most adults push aside- sprouted like seedlings in sun. I became aware of my part. I haveContinue reading “Sunshine- Republished”

How Wilderness Therapy Saved My Family

Into the Wilderness: Story 43 Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of negative commentary on wilderness and residential therapy. Paris Hilton released Hell Camp, a Netflix documentary about her treatment experience. NY Times Author Kenneth Rosen has written “Troubled: The Failed Promise of America’s Behavioral Treatment Programs.” Prolific podcaster Tiffany Reese of “Something Was Wrong”Continue reading “How Wilderness Therapy Saved My Family”

The Truth

into the Wilderness: Story 27 Catina and I just finished listening to the Podcast musical “36 Questions,” featuring Jessie Shelton and Jonathan Groff (you may remember him as King George in “Hamilton”). Told in 3 Acts, the musical features a divorcing couple grappling with a broken relationship, lies and second chances using the 36 questionsContinue reading “The Truth”

No Drama

Into the Wilderness: Story 17 Catina flung the car door open and collapsed onto the seat. School had just finished and the late afternoon light slashed through the windows and across her face. She wrapped her arms around her and scrunched down, lifting her feet onto the dashboard. She was clearly unhappy. I waited. InContinue reading “No Drama”