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New Perspectives - Mar,
2002 Issue #91
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Galena Ridge Wilderness Program
Trout Creek, Mountana
406-827-4440
Paul Clark and Cheri DesMarais
Galena Ridge provides a small, rigorous outdoor adventure program
with strong counseling support that serves as a follow-up for teens transitioning from other programs or treatment facilities. “Our
program will complement a Twelve-step oriented treatment program, as we use these principles in our own lives. Galena Ridge is not
just a behavior modification program. We address both behaviors and feelings and help students explore their interaction with their
families. Our goal is to assist teens in the process of moving back into their families, to clarify communication, process emotional
issues, and re-evaluate family priorities…Individual and family emotional health is the critical focus for all we do…We consistently
find our students need the willingness and involvement of parents to explore how each member of their family contributes to the family
process as a whole. Our family conference time in September is an important event for parents and their sons.”
Galena Ridge accepts males 12 - 17 years old, ranging from those who may need a boost in self-esteem and motivation, to those who
are experiencing conflict at home or difficulty in school. Students may be “acting-out” with inappropriate behaviors and may have
issues with family, peer relationships, physical or sexual abuse and/or substance abuse. It is not an appropriate placement for teens
who have a history of severe violence toward others, psychoses, sexual abuse perpetration, suicide attempts, or who are at high-risk
for running away. Because this is a physically challenging program, teens who are not able to be active for health reasons may not
be appropriate. “
Our country lifestyle and outdoor adventures provide the structural framework where growth and healing can occur.” Typical activities
at Galena Ridge include: backpacking, mountaineering, orienteering, rock climbing, canoeing, primitive living skills, environmental
awareness activities, and individual and group counseling. The family conference is scheduled at the end of the summer.
The base of operations is located five miles from Trout Creek (population 400) and thirty miles from Thompson Falls (pop. 1,600) on
10 acres of forestland bordering the Cabinet Mountains and Wilderness Area in Northwest Montana. The property includes Paul and Cheri’s
home, a fishpond, barn and camping area, with lots of wildlife frequenting our backyard. The program is conducted primarily in remote
and scenic wilderness areas throughout Montana and utilizes the base camp for course preparation, counseling sessions and the family
conference. The program operates beginning in May or June and runs through August. The usual length of stay is 4 - 12 weeks with rolling
admission between expeditions.
Some of the students transfer to the Twenty Peak Ranch Program from September through May. This residential program offers academics
in public school as well as a structured living environment with continued counseling support.
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