Wilderness Opportunities is a non-profit, Colorado state licensed and insured wilderness therapy program for youth ages 12-18. Located near Crested Butte, CO, Wilderness Opportunities will enroll students experiencing problems with low self-esteem, declining academics, ADHD/ADD, anger management, low risk juvenile offenders, drug and alcohol experimentation, etc.
The 21-day wilderness therapy program is open to participants from all over the country. One of the challenges is to teach the students to work and communicate as a team while learning to deal with their core issues. The youth are confronted with a rigorous regimen of activities like backpacking, mountain peak ascents, rock climbing, white water rafting and high and low ropes courses. The program believes these activities promote emotional growth and personal development.
Wilderness Opportunities also utilizes team building workshops, separate from the wilderness component. These workshops help incorporate challenge course initiatives and group games that teach the basic skills needed for effective teamwork, communication and problem solving.
The mental health staff at Wilderness Opportunities includes founder David Green, who has a BA in Psychology, Dr. Karin Bagn, a PhD level clinical psychologist. Bagn oversees the counseling and mental health services at Wilderness Opportunities. She is also the case manager for each of the youth, and she conducts field work with the youth, group and staff to ensure the successful implementation of the treatment plans.
Each member of the field staff has a current Wilderness First Responder status and is CPR certified.