Trails Carolina is an acclaimed wilderness therapy program offering transformative experiences to young individuals. Participants embark on extended wilderness expeditions accompanied by therapeutic interventions designed to address mental and behavioral health concerns.
Unfortunately, this popular therapeutic approach has become the subject of unsettling narratives and accusations, sparking debate on where exactly discipline ends and abuse begins in therapeutic wilderness programs.
The Experience
Trails Carolina Horror Stories encourages feedback from both students and parents in order to tailor its program and share stories about alumni who have found transformation through Trails.
This program offers students a highly structured yet flexible education experience. Their certified teacher works directly with each child to maximize academics. Students also enjoy exploring their passions without distraction or home responsibilities being hindering them from finding happiness in nature.
Amelia found tremendous benefit in working with Trails as she learned how to recognize and manage her emotions while becoming more empathetic towards others. Additionally, she established healthy boundaries within her family and developed assertive communication techniques.
Trails Carolina is well-known for its extended program duration, leading to concerns regarding its effects on participants. Nonetheless, they have pledged their cooperation in any investigations that may take place as well as welcoming a transparent review of its practices to ensure participants’ safety and emotional well-being are put first.
The Staff
Trails Carolina uses wilderness therapy as an approach to help children and teenagers cope with issues like substance abuse, academic underperformance, self-esteem issues, trauma, anxiety and depression. Their Lake Toxaway location makes the program an ideal way of addressing such concerns in an outdoor setting.
Employees at this facility report having an incredible time working with children and seeing first-hand the impact of what they do. Students enjoy being taken on expeditions they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do at home; it provides an incredible way of seeing how well teams of youngsters work together and overcome any challenges.
Employees also appreciate how often they get to interact with nature, believing that being outside helps them focus on what’s truly important in their lives. Employees also delight in watching how students progress through the program – something which sets this facility apart. Families are actively involved and receive guidance and support from family therapists throughout this program.
The Environment
Trails Carolina, located within North Carolina’s breathtaking wilderness environment, is an adventure-based therapeutic program offering assistance to individuals facing emotional or behavioral challenges. Their aim is to foster resilience and life skills development via outdoor activities combined with supportive therapy sessions; however their unsettling history — including allegations of mistreatment — has raised serious doubts as to its ability to provide safe therapeutic environments.
One common thread running through many Trails Carolina horror stories involves allegations of physical abuse by program staff members. Though not all former participants report such incidents, their existence is unnerving – sometimes leading to serious injuries and even deaths in extreme cases.
Prior to enrolling, prospective students should conduct extensive research on any wilderness therapy program. Investigating its safety policies and practices will help guarantee students receive the care they require.
Before enrolling in any wilderness therapy program, it is crucial that one understands its therapeutic methods. Trails Carolina, for example, provides individual and group therapy sessions tailored specifically to its students as well as using trauma-informed approaches tailored specifically for them.
The Results
Trails Carolina was found to have a positive and lasting effect on student behavior, emotional well-being and family dynamics in an eight-year independent study of families & students.
Children and teenagers in wilderness settings build trusting relationships between themselves and field instructors, learning to navigate the terrain while developing self-advocacy and communication skills that they will use both at home and beyond.
Trails is dedicated to academics and offers students an environment that closely mimics traditional classrooms for easy matriculation back into their schools. Students participate in outdoor coursework while receiving full academic support from Trails teachers throughout their program.
Seth was experiencing severe anxiety that was leading him to withdraw from family and friends and negatively affecting his schoolwork. Trails’ innovative Family Therapy and Graduation Camp provided him with direction in his life which resulted in better grades and an early return to school; one year post graduation these improvements continue to benefit both his mental health and stress management.