Asheville Academy for Girls
Asheville, NC

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Asheville Academy Announces
Therapeutic Summer Semester

"Our team has created a vibrant atmosphere of challenge and success with constant support from trained, caring individuals to help our ladies build skills and experience success," commented Dr. Michelle Lechman, Clinical Director.

Asheville Academy for Girls, a therapeutic boarding school for troubled teens ages 10 - 14, continues to lead the field of therapeutic boarding schools by designing a unique summer learning experience. The Therapeutic Summer Semester is designed to help young ladies by improving leadership skills, developing healthy relationships, resolving conflict, improving self-image, increasing self-confidence, and building a strong foundation for future growth and success.

"Our school is in a very active and vibrant community in Asheville" commented Executive Director Bryan Tomes. "So many of the unique experiences this area provides are grounded in adventure and challenge. We recognized that this was a perfect situation for creating a summer experiential learning module for helping young ladies take a step forward."

Research has shown that people who work on challenging issues often say they know what they ought to do, but do not execute. The theory behind experiential therapy is that experience can translate to a deeper level of knowing especially for young girls who are not developmentally ready to internalize talk therapy. Asheville Academy utilizes research that shows if something is revealed or practiced while an action is taking place it is more likely to be remembered.

There are four basic concepts Asheville Academy's Therapeutic Summer Semester seeks to nurture; self-motivated learning, development of trust and confidence in themselves, learning how to navigate and achieve as part of a group, and discovering the potential for being a lifelong- learner.

"In my experience, young girls learn best through doing," commented Dr. Michelle Lechman, Clinical Director, "Our team has created a vibrant atmosphere of challenge and success with constant support from trained, caring individuals to help our ladies build skills and experience success."

Asheville Academy's Therapeutic Summer Semester runs from June 17th to July 28th. Each week will consist of multiple electives, including archery, swimming, orienteering, foraging, gardening, climbing and bouldering, whitewater rafting and kayaking. There are core academic classes focused on improving writing and math skills. Music, dance, and art will be part of the fun. Each week will end with a team building challenge activity.

"Our primary goal in our boarding school for troubled teens is to help develop lifelong skills and support the successful transition back to the student's home school in the fall," continued Mr.Tomes,"We believe our integrative approach of combining summer adventure and experiential learning will reinforce our primary mission in helping change the lives of our young teens."