Visit by: Ron and Kristie Campbell, March 14, 2013

We recently had the opportunity to visit a few Utah programs, one of which was Legacy Outdoor, a therapeutic wilderness program for young adult men who are struggling with a failure to launch, overall disrespect for their parents, lack of motivation, and addiction just to name a few. The Inn we stayed at was located right next door to the main office in Loa, UT. Loa doesn't boast much, but it is a nice, sleepy little town approximately 2.5 hours south of Salt Lake City.

We heard talking downstairs as we left our room to head over to the office and ran into Gil Hallows, founder of Legacy. Gil and the counseling staff of Legacy, as well as Paige Tomlinson the Admissions Coordinator, were at the hotel doing parent seminars with three sets of visiting parents. We could feel the excitement, nervousness, apprehension of the parents as they waited the moment they would get to see their boys. At that point, we didn't realize we were about to witness one of the greatest events at a wilderness program.

The three young men had been in the Utah wilderness between four and six weeks and were approximately 2/3 of the way through their stay. Legacy Outdoor is typically a six to eight week program, though it does vary depending on client need, and a little over half way through, they return to the office for a three-day parent seminar. This period allows parents and clients the opportunity to work through some of their issues together, and shows parents that their sons have in fact changed and grown up a bit while at Legacy. After the parents visit for three days of intense family sessions, the young men begin working on their exit strategy. They become actively involved in seeking and applying for their own aftercare.

After grabbing a cup of coffee, we left the hotel and walked over to the office. There we met with Gil, Paige, Troy Faddis, a Primary Therapist with whom I've worked on a case, and his co-counselor, addictions specialist, Devon Nanton, SUDC. They described the role of dual therapists to us. Each client has a primary therapist and an addictions therapist that work together to get to the core issues and at the same time, determine the addictive patterns and formulate a treatment plan. These counselors are also heavily involved with any trips the young men take during their stay.

Gil then took the lead and better explained the program to us. While in the wilderness, young men receive mentorship and guidance in addition to their therapy. Each young man goes through a structured process to identify the kind of man he wants to be and is then given the tools to become that man. He learns that there are parts of the child within him that he must let go of and new responsibilities he must embrace to become a man. Each student creates a Life Success Plan to "map out" his process. With the support of the treatment team and his family, each young man creates a written plan to be used as a roadmap for his personal journey to manhood.

Gil also explained that Legacy has a program for adolescent boys as well, which is called Legacy Protégé. Legacy Protégé is a therapeutic wilderness adventure program designed to give adolescent young men the skills and confidence to overcome life challenges and prepare for a successful transition to manhood.

When we finished talking about all the components of Legacy, it was time for a 'run in'. For those who do not know, a run in is one of those moments in a family's journey where they meet again for the first time since the young man has come to the wilderness. It is one of those spiritual moments when the parents realize their son isn't a boy anymore, but has made a significant transition into manhood. The young men are eager to see their parents and have worked hard for this moment.

We walked out into the field-like yard in back of the Legacy office where the parent soon joined us single file and in silence. They had been working all morning and were instructed to enter the circle silently to create an atmosphere of respect for the young men. We waited in silence; each parent pondering the approaching moment with intense trepidation. And then the moment was here.

A young man burst out of the building and sprinted across the field toward his parents with a passion. He latched onto them and embraced them. They were all crying, tears of elation flowing freely down their cheeks. Then another young man emerged and ran to his parents, and a third ran in and embraced his as well. Everyone was alone in their family reunion as if there was no other human in the world. It was a powerful moment of hope and relief, and everyone there had tears.

After the initial hugging and greetings we circled up so all the staff and parents could recognize the accomplishments of these young men. They looked healthy and proud. They looked sober and clearheaded. The staff discussed some of their memories and some triumphs. It was a moment we were very lucky to share.

After we finished around the circle, we headed in for lunch. We shared a nice family style lunch after which the out-going staff left to head home and the incoming team with the parents and young men returned to the conference rooms to continue therapy sessions.

We felt honored to be included in such a milestone event for these three families. The memory will forever be imprinted on us and we look forward to our next visit when we go out to the field for a day in the life.