Soltreks Wilderness Program is now a member of the Independent Small Programs Alliance (ISPA); a strategic business alliance founded by Andy Anderson Consulting, Inc. headquartered in Clearwater, FL. ISPA was founded in March 2005 (www.ispaaac.com) to provide an opportunity for independent smaller programs to be more competitive and more successful in the private pay therapeutic market.
Located in northern Minnesota, Soltreks is a therapeutic wilderness program for adolescents, young adults, and older adults seeking awareness and change in their life, their relationships, and their relationship to life. Founded in 1997 by Lorri Hanna and Doug Sabo, Soltreks integrates principles of wilderness therapy and a family systems perspective with grounding in evidence-based clinical practices that promote and honor personal growth, promote change, and restore healthy families. The strength-based approach teaches and models solution-focused skills and processes as students come to understand the power of their choices and the impact they have on their lives.
Soltreks was created for families whose children were missed in larger settings and needing a more individualized approach toward health and healing. Small groups and custom individual treks are offered as a way to provide intimate guided journeys into self-discovery.
The program is designed to assist students with a variety of challenges including depression/anxiety, learning differences, grief and loss, school issues, family conflict, adjustment and relationship issues. As a Rite of Passage, students move through a series of phases grounded in ritual and ceremony with intention to "catch" opportunities for "making meaning" from each experience. Students receive high school academic credit for successful completion of the personal growth curriculum where physical activity is balanced with emotional, cognitive, and spiritual experiences. College credit is also available in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership.
Family involvement is a key component of the Soltreks Program. Andy Anderson, President of Andy Anderson Consulting, Inc. stated, "Soltreks has been and is one of the premier wilderness programs in the country. Lorri and Doug are top professionals with the experience, intelligence, and commitment to provide life-changing experiences for the families and individuals they serve.
Soltreks, Inc.is an outdoor behavioral healthcare program for adolescents ages 13-17, young adults ages 18-25 and adults over 25. We offer individual and group treks, one on one treks, a summer adventure program, winter programs, family treks and specialty treks, located in Two Harbors, MN. Our program is an organizational member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, ISPA, OBHIC, NATWC, and AEE.
ISPAis an alliance of small programs organized by Andy Anderson of Florida to help small schools and programs with small budgets, to help each other improve their visibility, academics and therapy for children, adolescents and adults. The members of the Alliance include Alpine Academy of Utah, Building Bridges of Montana, and Cardinal Cushing Centers of Massachusetts, Dragonfly Transitions of Oregon, FL Chamberlain School of Massachusetts, and Germaine Lawrence of Massachusetts, Grove School of Connecticut, New Lifestyles of Virginia, Sea Change of Hawaii, Soltreks Wilderness Program of Minnesota, Summit Preparatory School of Montana and The Wediko School of New Hampshire.