Outdoor Activities Are Not Only Fun But Also Very Therapeutic…

3:00 AM CATCH ON THE KENAI

Classroom education, individual therapy, group therapy and family therapy are extremely important for our youth dealing with behavioral, addiction and emotional disturbance issues, but good outdoor experiences are equally important and without a doubt aid in overall recovery as well as progress.  Each year Triumph Youth Services’ youth have the opportunity to go to Alaska and experience the last frontier up close. Alaska has a very special spirit, which automatically bonds the students with nature right from the start.  Immediately these young men that experience Alaska are awe struck with the vast wilderness as well as the immense scenery around them. Then when they enter the river, the ocean or even ride on the rural highways, the possibilities of what nature could show them at any given moment almost becomes too much to bare. At this point with all senses on high alert and with 20 + hours of daylight, sleep is not an option and instantly they are hooked and every experience they share with Alaska will be permanently stored in their fondest memories.

After the overall excitement, anticipation and adrenalin wears down and the boy’s are able to get a little sleep, the appreciation for nature, the humility of being able to enjoy such an experience and overall gratitude becomes evident and that is when you notice true changes in our students. Some changes are big while others are subtle but make no mistake when you mix good solid treatment and structure with outdoor activities, positive change and progress is increased. My favorite part of Alaska with our young men from Triumph Youth Services is the conversations we share with the boy’s being much more open and honest than usual thanks to the spirit of Alaska and the great outdoors. I have noticed the the boy’s become much more goal oriented after spending quality time in the outdoors and really take a harder look at their futures from simply being surrounded by the tranquility of nature.

Stopped at the famous sign forest in Canada on our way to AK!

I cannot imagine working with youth and achieving the success we achieve through our Triumph Youth Services programs without the consistent use and partnership with nature and outdoor activities. Our students who do not travel to Alaska still have the opportunity to participate in these activities on a weekly basis right here locally.