Currently offered 2 times a year, the 30-day Youthful Offender Program is an intense backpacking expedition-styled program that provides a creative synthesis of adventure and group processing. Using backpacking, rock-climbing, small community living, and solo experiences as a therapeutic vehicle, the program seeks to establish patterns of success, teach accountability, and explicate an awareness of an individual’s impact on others in their community.

Each course consists of 8-11 adolescent male participants (ages 18-24) and 3 instructors.  The group spends the first couple days of the program near the Wilderness Center’s campus learning, and adapting to, the structured environment and gaining the skills necessary to be successful on the upcoming expedition.  Following this learning phase, the group moves into the “Main Expedition”, beginning a 10-day journey along the historic Appalachian Trail where they face the physical and emotional challenges of expedition life and working within a small community. Upon completion of the Main Expedition, students receive a break from the physical demands of the program and begin a 72 hour solo experience to reflect on their unique situations and spend time processing their thoughts with the instructors.  The final portion of the program begins to shift the focus toward a peer-led environment, empowering participants to navigate the “Final Expedition” using skills learned throughout the first half of the program.

Qualifications:

• Excellent leadership, communication and instructional skills
• 1 Year experience working with groups in a backcountry setting
• Current CPR and WFR certifications
• Sincere desire to offer a compassionate, therapeutic environment to youth   
• Ability to show exceptional professionalism, patience and guidance in stressful situations
• Relevant bachelor degree preferred
• Must pass pre-employment drug test and background check