Sober Summer

• Teens with unsupervised time are three times more likely to use marijuana or other drugs.
• More teens try marijuana for the first time in the summer months than any other time of the year.
• Each day in June, July and August, approximately 6,100 young people try marijuana for the first time; that’s 38 percent more per day than during the rest of the year.

• More kids enter treatment with a primary diagnosis of marijuana dependence than for all other illegal drugs combined,  – NationalYouthAnti-DrugCampaign:
• “[I]n the 1970s and 80s, the active ingredient in marijuana, THC, was at 3.5 percent. Today, the THC found in most marijuana averages more than 7 percent. But specific techniques can skyrocket the amount of THC to as high as 27 percent. Today’s marijuana is much more powerful and much more addictive than it was a generation ago.”  – U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy

• Tend to make poor decisions when they have a lot of unstructured, unsupervised time.
• Are using drugs or alcohol. (Most teens are using three times more than parents realize).
• Have been through other programs and need the support during the summer.
• Are not responding to family rules and boundaries.
• Hung in there just long enough to make it through the school year but have started making questionable decisions and are heading down a path that could threaten their well-being and next year’s school performance.

The full 12 steps takes months, even years to complete. So, 2-3 steps is appropriate for 10 weeks. He will attend local meetings when possible and work on exercises 1-3 times per week while at camp.  Many people ask if the higher power or God aspect of NA is required. No. Identifying a higher power is a personal thing. We do explain that a higher power can be anything that works (the best part of self, nature, one’s values, or God). Most NA participants say that identifying some kind of higher power is key to their sobriety. But, it is not required.

13 Values

Integrity, Healthy Masculinity, Self-Care, Compassion, Community, Commitment, and Courage are the first seven. The boys, through a deliberate set of exercises, will decide the last six.  The last six may be different for each teen.

Your son’s therapy and coaching will arise from his identified values, the group values, your son’s history and input from you and your family. Your son and his therapist will develop a Master Plan that will address his needs and goals for change and healing. Individual and group therapy will happen 3-6 times each week.

14 Challenges

Healthy risk is an important developmental aspect of adolescence. Many teens report that doing drugs provides excitement, novelty and fun. Replacing drugs with healthier option can be the key to your son making better choices. At Sober Summer, your son will:

• climb at least one 14,000 foot peak,
• raft a class III-IV river,
• learn to rock climb,
• earn certification in Wilderness First Aid,
• complete a solo,
• mountain bike,
• build a composting toilet,
• train in Martial Arts, and more.

(such as Wilderness Medicine instructors). But, this itinerary is the gist and the goal.)Week 1:Orientation and Group Bonding. This includes:

• Icebreakers and games to increase comfort and emotional safety during transition
• Agreements, rules and expectations of the program
• Nightly campfire fun and storytelling
• Skill building for the 14 challenges

Begin group and individual therapy. Your son will:

• Meet and get to know therapist and coaches
• Identify his 6 values
• Develop a master plan
• Attend on and off-site Narcotics Anonymous meetings

Fitness and preparation for 14 Challenges

• Daily exercise (Hiking, Martial Arts, Tai Chi, Rock Climbing and/or Yoga)
• Break in boots and learn how to pack backpacks and properly use all gear
• Map and compass training, knot tying, Leave No Trace and Ecology of the area

 Week 2

Stewardship projects. All students and staff will:

• Build a composting toilet for continued use at Vagabond Ranch
• Collaborate with Vagabond Ranch staff to plan repairs, upgrades and fire mitigation projects.

Wilderness medicine, Rescue and First Aid. Your teen will become certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR. They may also train in basic mountain and river rescue techniques.

Week 3

Family Calls and Family Session: By phone or Skype you will talk to your son, receive an update from his therapist and begin to address issues to resolve before he returns home in August

Survival Skills. What to do if lost in the woods. This is a week long training in outdoor survival skills. Kids will learn to keep themselves alive with little to no equipment, how to build a fire without matches, make a safe shelter, find clean water and food, and ensure best chances of rescue.

Continue group and individual therapy

• Meet and get to know therapist and coaches
• Identify his 6 values
• Develop a master plan
• Attend on and off site Narcotics Anonymous meetings and group sessions

Weeks 4-9

All participants will engage in:

Outdoor Skills and Activities

Backpacking, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Camp Skills, Cooking, Search and Rescue Drills and Rafting/Canoeing, Slackline Training, Stewardship of the land and property, and Art in Nature projects.

Group and individual therapy and coaching

• Continue work therapist and coaches
• Evaluate how behavior and feelings match with the 6 values
• Family work and group sessions
• Attend on and off-site Narcotics Anonymous meetings

Week 10: Preparation for returning home.

Your son will work with his therapist and coaches to:

1. Set attainable goals for the upcoming year
2. Create a going home contract in cooperation with parents and therapist
3. Reflect consciously on his realizations and growth over the summer
4. Spend quality time with new friends to close and say goodbye