Wilderness Trips

Wilderness trips have been a part of the RTM program since 1982. It has been our experience that wilderness programs can accelerate the therapeutic process. We have found that students make significant progress on their treatment goals during and after wilderness experiences. The combination of the wilderness environment, the adventure activities, and the sense of community formed by living closely in the mountains, provides endless learning and personal growth opportunities. RTM was accredited by the Association of Experiential Education in the fall of 1999, highlighting our long-term commitment to providing safe, ethically sound and therapeutic wilderness experiences for adolescents.

The wilderness trips for RTM residents are scheduled to follow the 7-8 week school sessions in the fall, winter, spring, and summer.

The Fall Trip is a one week long community service project working with the Adopt-A-Trail Program, building and maintaining the trails in our area of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

Winter Wilderness is a week-long program at the end of February. The trip focuses on cooperating as a team, winter camping skills and ski touring.

The Spring Trip in May combines wilderness travel with an educational curriculum. It is a two-week expedition in the Escalante Canyon area of southern Utah. Students travel in a unique desert environment learning about ecology, geology, environmental issues and natural history as well as desert wilderness skills.

The Summer Program is a 24-day backpacking expedition in the mountains surrounding Jackson Hole. The program incorporates a family weekend, a week of wilderness school, and a wrap-up week, in addition to time spent in the field.