Footsteps is a small wilderness intervention program with a strong focus on personal, individualized clinical treatment for adolescents ages 11-14 and their families. Our goal is to provide the most clinically sophisticated and comprehensive treatment available while maintaining the level or quality and customer service you have come to expect from a Second Nature program.
Second Nature Blue Ridge
Footsteps Program
Cheat Sheet
We Serve: Boys and girls, ages 11 –
14 years old struggling with issues of:
Depression
ADHD
Sexuality Issues
Anxiety
Oppositional Defiance
Parent-Child Conflict
Non-Verbal Learning Disorders
School Motivation Issues
Mild Eating Disorders
Adoption/Attachment Issues
Anger Management
Trauma Recovery
Adjustment Disorders
Substance Abuse Issues
Self Harm
Low Self-Esteem/Negative Self-Image
Manipulative Behaviors
Grief and Loss Issues
Average length of stay: 4 – 7 weeks
Footsteps Program Theme:
Footsteps uses the story The Knight in Rusty Armor to
create a theme-based experience for students. Each student’s movement through
the program is likened to the knight’s own journey on ‘The Path of Truth’
(Knights dilemma, Merlin’s Woods, Path of Truth, Castle of Silence, Castle
of Knowledge, Castle of Will & Daring, Summit of Truth)
What’s Different? / Curriculum Highlights
The Footsteps program recognizes the more concrete
needs of the young adolescent. Developmental issues at this stage include:
Being motivated to learn, having good social skills, and developing a sense
of self-worth and personal values. Unlike older adolescents—who are developmentally
at a point of creating autonomy from their parents—younger adolescents rely
more heavily on the direct involvement of their parents and other adult role-models.
In order to support this, we provide an environment that is safe and supportive,
holds clear boundaries, and engages in regularly structured activities that
empower the student, while at the same time keeping parents actively involved
with their child’s personal work through communication and shared assignments.
Therapists and field staff put a strong emphasis on concrete, tangible, experiential
activities designed to challenge the student and increase their curiosity.
Group Activities include:
Drama/Role Playing
Art Therapy
Wilderness and Primitive Living Skills
Community Living
Outdoor Education
Solos
Pro-Social Games and Initiatives
Storytelling
Music, including drumming
Interactive Journaling
Certified Therapy Dogs in the Field
Group Ceremonies
Program Goals:
Building Self Esteem
Stabilization and Assessment
Increase Personal Awareness
Strengthened Relationship and Communication Skills