Trails Carolina has been the subject of numerous reports and investigations that paint a disturbing picture. From alleged mistreatment of participants to disregard for their safety, these stories raise important questions.

Despite the unsettling narratives, there are also numerous reports of students undergoing life-changing transformations. This is why Trails Carolina encourages reviews from families and students alike.

The Program

The program at Trails Carolina “Investigation” is designed to provide an intensive therapeutic wilderness experience. It combines clinical theory, evidence-based psychotherapies and a residential base camp with expedition-based outdoor learning and wellness practices. The combination of these environments helps students learn and practice skills that will help them better navigate a healthy life.

The therapists at Trails also offer regular individual sessions with each student, which helps to provide them with a more comprehensive assessment of their mindset. Additionally, the program focuses on family involvement and offers family therapy, as well as mid-point parent workshops, Common Ground experiences and weekly calls with their primary therapist.

The CReATE study shows that one year after graduating from Trails, 98% of participants reported continued improvements in their mental health. These results support the research and data demonstrating the effectiveness of nature-based therapy when conducted appropriately and responsibly.

The Staff

The staff at Trails Carolina are incredibly dedicated to making a difference in every student’s life. From the outside, the job might seem daunting. After all, the goal of Trails is to empower kids to become healthy, responsible adults – and that’s not an easy task for anyone.

The team has many different strengths and experiences that bring value to the work they do at Trails. For example, Graham Shannonhouse has over 20 years of experience in wilderness therapy and the leadership team averages 15+ years of industry experience.

Travis brings a variety of skills to his role as a primary therapist, including working in a community mental health clinic, with adolescents in residential treatment and at a therapeutic boarding school. His experiences in multiple settings help him connect with students and support them as they learn how to apply their newfound skills at home. He also leads family workshops and Common Ground, which help improve families’ communication and relationships.

The Environment

Trails play a critical role in our state parks and help to connect people with nature. We will continue to offer technical assistance for trail design and construction as resources allow, including workshops and webinars for trail advocates.

In the fall of 2014, a Trails Carolina participant named Alec Lansing went missing during a hike and was found dead 12 days later in a creek. A sheriff’s deputy who investigated the death told DHHS that staff at the program should have called for help sooner, but instead, they waited five hours.

Survivors of Trails Carolina have shared accounts of physical harm, emotional manipulation and extreme punishment that breach ethical guidelines. Their harrowing experiences have drawn widespread attention and prompted investigations by regulatory authorities.

The Results

After graduating from Trails Carolina, students return home with improved family relationships and stronger coping skills. This allows families to provide more emotional support for their struggling teen. Additionally, the program provides transitional services that enable teens to reintegrate into their homes and communities with confidence and ease.

Unlike other wilderness therapy programs, Trails focuses on creating a sense of community in their groups, allowing for students to build trust with their peers and field instructors. This approach is especially important for adolescent participants who may have struggled to build trust in past experiences.

Families also learn how to communicate more effectively with their teens and set healthy boundaries. This helps them develop a more mutually respectful relationship and is the foundation for family therapy that can be implemented once the student returns home. Combined with the program’s unique multiple systems assessment, these tools help students transition back into their homes and communities with greater success.