Avalanche At Santiam Crossing School

A number of Santiam Crossing School students are now American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Level 1 certified as part of the therapeutic boarding school's outdoor leadership and professional development program.

The certification in avalanche hazard management was held in Willamette National Forest. The experience involved experiential activities including studying the remains of a huge avalanche that the trainers had set off the day before the students' arrival. Students also gained skills in understanding and managing risk, using sound judgment, and rational decision-making. They also learned about snow stability factors, group self-rescue, terrain observations, operational decision-making, backcountry travel and route finding.

One student commented, "It was so interactive which is why I like it." Another saw the possibility of a career, "I'm a skier and could definitely use this to get a job."
Students will be giving a presentation on what they've learned at the upcoming monthly Parent Weekend, where parents visit campus for two-days and take part in structured family-time, family therapy sessions, and work toward healing family dynamics.

"It is tremendous to see the level of self-esteem our students gain from participating in these outdoor leadership certifications. And the bonus is that they graduate with real-world certificates that they can add to a college application or list on a summer job resume," explained Santiam Crossing School Director of Admissions Julia Andrick. Future certifications include Whitewater Rescue Technician, Wilderness First Responder, Mountain Bike Guide Technician I, and Rock Climbing Top Rope Guide.

Students attending Santiam Crossing graduate, on average, at eight months. The therapeutic boarding school provides families with a treatment option that is less than one year in length, therapeutically intensive, and enables students to catch up academically. Students benefit from extensive therapy, substance abuse treatment, adventure therapy, a family reunification program, academic credit recovery, and an outdoor leadership and professional development certification program. Attendance of a therapeutic wilderness program is a pre-requisite for enrollment.

A typical student is struggling with behavioral issues; poor academic achievement; and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, attachment issues, and trauma. The majority of our students are using drugs and alcohol and/or online gaming as a coping mechanism.

Santiam Crossing is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools They are licensed by the State of Oregon and are a registered private school.