Abstract:
Limited studies have explored the overall efficacy of wilderness camps for adolescents. In the
present study, six treatment goals and de-escalation tactics were scrutinized to examine four
wilderness programs. My hypotheses included: (1) programs would be beneficial at improving
self-growth, (2) programs would be beneficial at providing long-term outcomes, (3) there would
not be a large effect on family functioning, and (4) programs that use adolescent transportation,
seclusion and/or restraint practices, would have negative survivor testimonies. Data on individual
programs were founds from new sources, court records, survivor statements, and other
documents. Findings included improvements in self-growth and long-term outcomes; however,
transportation, seclusion, and restraint did effect survivors’ attitudes toward treatment. These
findings have implications for examining other benefits and risks in OBH programs.
