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NEW PATH
| PATHWAY TO RECOVERY
| GUIDED PATH |
COMMUNITY BASED FAMILY SERVICES |
New Path
A Unique Wilderness Based Program that Helps Troubled
Boys Better Their Lives |
Experiential Education
Activity Intensive Learning
Adventure Therapy
A powerful and unique notion that has been
changing the lives of young men at Outside In since 1985.
What began as sporadic wilderness excursions for troubled
youth has turned into an innovative approach to working with
delinquent males ages 13 through 17. |
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Combining cognitive-behavioral therapy and wilderness
therapy, this approach addresses the criminal thought
process and delinquent behaviors. Students begin their New
Path experience in Basic Competency Development Camp located
in Ligonier, Pennsylvania on our 140 acre campus. Here they
attend our private school to further their education and
address academic deficiencies.
After-school programs introduce them to
the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice. They
become more competent as they learn basic life skills and
important social skills such as anger management, impulse
control, and conflict resolution and victim awareness. They
participate in activity intensive experiential activities
such as adventure initiatives, indoor rock climbing and
bouldering, 3 day mini- backpacking, caving and climbing
expeditions increasing each student’s self esteem,
self-awareness, communication and problems solving and
social skills.
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Students also participate in restitution
work projects, volunteer for community service and pay
restitution for damage they have done. Our students have
built cabins, dug waterlines, restored state parks and wild
life refuges, developed trail systems, helped local farmers
in the community and much more. Community service provides
the opportunity to do something for others, learn job skills
and develop a work ethic.
Staff believe adversity, when properly
introduced, builds character. And if therapeutic adversity
is what you’re looking for, few environments can match the
Wilderness. |
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Enter Expedition Camp!
Students promoted to Expedition Camp (ExCamp)
travel to remote wilderness locations throughout the United
States and Canada on 21 day backcountry excursions. These
expeditions present stressful but stimulating opportunities
that are highly structured and engineered for success to
increase the students’ motivation to change behaviorally,
spiritually and emotionally; thus increasing self efficacy
assisting them with managing the pressures of society.
Students must actively engage the environment with their
peers and instructors as a team to successfully complete the
expedition.
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ExCamp involves mastering new and complex abilities. Rock
climbing, canoeing, caving, backpacking, mountaineering –
all these endeavors require sophisticated safety protocols
utilizing specific technical knowledge and skills. But these
expeditions do more than teach technical skills. They drive
individuals to discover their own worth and to expect more
from themselves. After “conquering the mountain”, our
students experience a strong sense of self-confidence and
pride. Self-efficacy is established. The challenge provides
an analogy for overcoming emotional or psychological
challenges at home, school and community.
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The wilderness instructors at Outside In
are a different breed of outdoorsmen. They are rugged
professionals, trained as outdoor leaders, educators and
substance abuse counselors. While on expedition, they
instruct the students in every aspect of life. The students
participate in academic instruction everyday, benefiting
from the integrated curriculum we have developed to enhance
the relevance of the material.
The Civil War takes on new meaning as we bike through
Antietam and visit Harper’s Ferry. Biology literally comes
to life in the Florida Everglades, the North country of
Canada and in the mountains of Wyoming and New Mexico.
Mathematics and physics takes on a whole new meaning as the
students learn the dynamics of rock climbing in
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, Alabama and
Georgia. Students on expedition also receive counseling and
life-skill competencies. When all of the various components
of a trip are compiled, the result is a high-impact
microcosm that unleashes substantial personal growth. And
rest assured the memories remain forever. |
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The incredible accomplishments students achieve at Outside
In give rise to a positive, optimistic attitude. Our high
impact programs awaken and motivate young men to live life
to the fullest, embracing every day as a new opportunity.
Information for Families
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On-Site Visitation
We believe it is important for families to
maintain contact with their son while he is at Outside In.
However, we travel a great deal which limits opportunities
for visitations. When we are in the area, visitation is
available on a weekly basis by appointment. Visitation is
restricted to family members. All others must receive prior
approval. A staff member will be available to discuss your
son’s progress.
To schedule an on-site visit with your son, call (724)
238-8441. If there is no answer, please leave a message. |
Learn More
Contact Outside In
School of Experiential Education, Inc.
to learn more. |
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