Kairos Young Adult Adventure Wilderness Program

Helping Young Adults Ages 18 to 30

Adventure therapy gives young adults the opportunity to go beyond themselves and discover positive and significant changes in a short period of time.

Activities at Kairos such as whitewater river trips in rafts or canoes, skiing, snowboarding, top-rope rock climbing, caving, mountain-biking, horseback riding, primitive living skills, hiking/backpacking, arts and crafts, have an amazing effect on every young adult who fully participates.

They learn very quickly that nature cannot be manipulated and it can see right through them!

Each activity is designed to help students climb to a higher level of self-efficacy, and help them draw the metaphors to real life while learning new life skills. The goal is to instill tools for success individually and with family and friends while working with their body, mind and spirit.

Kairos operates year-round and application for admission may take place at any time.

Acceptance is based on a review of the applicant's current and past history of behavior, consultation with parents and professionals and psycho-educational testing when appropriate.

Appropriate candidates are young adults, ages 18 to 30 years of age, with a history of soft to moderate emotional and behavioral challenges, low self-esteem, academic underachievement, substance abuse and family conflict. Kairos is a 7 to 12 week program with an average length of stay of 54 days. When a new student is admitted into Kairos, they are treated with respect similar to a transfer from one school to another.

Kairos does not operate on level systems and makes no attempt to "break down" students. The discovery is in their hands.

The therapeutically-rich nature of Kairos helps to reduce the resistance to treatment and enables participants to clearly understand the need for change. Further, it affords the skills and motivation necessary to make positive choices, which lead to future success.

Kairos students participate in an expedition-style adventure where nature has a way of healing. With direction from a dedicated and caring staff, the students are led along a path where hope and healing begin. While continued therapy remains the primary focus of Kairos, students are also taught many life lessons, character development, and adventure-based activities designed to enhance their quality of life for years to come.