Turning Winds Academic Institute has utilized the power of
creating meaningful, outdoor experiences since inception. Have you ever taken a
family camping trip, picnic or gone on a hike to someplace that is absolutely
serene - the views are spectacular; the creations/designs of the environment
sparks wonder and amazement; the peace which one feels is enlightening; the
fresh mountain air is invigorating; and the excitement of seeing wildlife is
like being a kid all over again.
The experience in these unique environments can assist in
providing new insight or perspective on life; hence, the reason why we at TWAI
believe that this is an important aspect of our treatment approach. Every
student enrolled in our therapeutic, boarding school will have the opportunity to
embark on a six day journey in some of the most amazing places in this country.
Some of these treasures are found in Places like Hell's Canyon, Seven Devil's
Peaks, Ross Lake and the Selkirk Mountains.
Safety, awareness and preparedness are critical themes that
are taught throughout the preparation and training for these outdoor
excursions. Some of the major areas of focus include the following:
environmental hazards, leave no trace, hiking etiquette, how to properly treat
water, proper gear and clothing, care and proper use of equipment and
first-aid. The guides that lead these outdoor expeditions have decades of
experience and are equipped with the latest technology to assist in location
monitoring and rescue if needed. We feel
fortunate that in the almost twenty years of backpacking with teenagers, we
have never had any major incidents with our students.
A typical journey will result in viewing some amazing
wildlife ranging from pesky mice, deer, wolves and we have even seen bears
while out in the wilderness. We strive
to create a feeling of success in the teens that participate in these journeys
as they are able to accomplish such a great feat. This last Fall a group of ambitious boys
decided to shorten their hiking days and instead of backpacking 20 miles in two
days they did it in just one day. What
an amazing accomplishment! Who do you
know who could carry a back-pack weighing anywhere from 35-50lbs and hike 20
miles in one day? The last day of our
trip we usually spend having some extra fun, such as going to Scarywood near
Coeur D'Alene, ID; going out to the movies or spending the day at an indoor water park while eating out
at some great restaurants. The kids are
always impressed and glad they went regardless of the work that was required to
successfully complete a meaningful backpacking trip. And before you know it, time seems to have
warped forward and we are on our way back to the school to
share the great experiences which we had for those days while we were out trekking
across the mountains.
For more information about Turning Winds Academic Institute, please call us at: 800-845-1380 or Contact Us.
