PARENTS NEED ANSWERS TO MANY QUESTIONS
BEFORE DECIDING TO SEND THEIR CHILD
TO AN OUTDOOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE PROGRAM

Why is Three Rivers Montana such a great opportunity for struggling teens?
Three Rivers Montana gives young people a transformational experience that provides the chance to make major positive changes in their lives. The outcome usually includes improved self-esteem, a recognition of how their behavior affects themselves and others, better decision making ability, and a better relationship with their family. The program offers unique opportunities for teens struggling with behavioral, emotional, and educational issues.  The focus is on addressing issues.  Licensed therapists work with students individually and in groups in the  wilderness setting, consult with parents weekly, and guide staff in helping students and families  address issues.  Mature, college educated, experienced staff role-model and provide focused adult attention.  Three Rivers provides an accredited high school curriculum.  Hands-on experiential learning gives students  the opportunity to  earn 6 semester credits. 

Will placing my child in a wilderness program damage my relationship with him/her?
The opposite is likely to occur – a better relationship in which parents and child have a better chance of truly enjoying each other. Many parents fear placing their child will further damage their relationship with the child. It is certainly common that children are often angry with their parents when they first arrive. When young people leave Three Rivers they almost always thank their parents for the experience. The communication between parents and child and the individual and group therapy all promote improved and close relationships. Research on the effects of wilderness treatment has shown that substantial improvement in relationship between parents and child usually occurs.

Are boys and girls in the same group?
We often have single gender and co-ed groups in the field. 

What are the benefits of co-ed and single gender groups?
Some young people need to be in a single-gender group to focus on the issues that have brought them to Three Rivers Montana. Others gain a great deal from being a part of a co-ed group. The realistic situation of being in a group with both genders prepares students for the "real world" environment they will go to after leaving Three Rivers. Boys and girls learn to see each other as people rather than simply objects. In co-ed groups, students are able to benefit from the different approaches boys and girls may take to consider emotional issues and to solve problems.

Why would we use escort/transport services?
We understand the thought of using a transport service is scary for parents. Many of our parents use the service as a type of "insurance" to ensure their child gets from their home to the program safely. Getting the child to a wilderness program can be hindered by the adolescent's impulsivity and the level of stress for the parent. Many parents are successful in bringing their child to Three Rivers. However, if there is fear of impulsivity that could lead to an unsafe situation or an unnecessary amount of conflict, a transport service can be helpful. The admissions director can refer you to transport services that we have found to be safe and reliable. Transport companies that do this work well build a strong rapport with students, use a therapeutic approach, and often provide a great deal of relief to an already stressful situation.

What kind of training does your staff have?
Three Rivers Montana staff are selected because of their commitment to helping adolescents, their love of the outdoors and their education and experience. A college education is a basic requirement for our field instructors (field instructors are the people who will be with your child 24 hours per day). Some have master’s degrees. All staff are required to attend ongoing training in all aspects of care. All staff have first aid and CPR certification and many have additional training and certification as Wilderness First Responders and some are EMTs. Our field instructors are old enough to have mature and sound judgment and young enough that teens are able to view them as “cool”.

Is this a boot camp?
No. We do not subscribe to harsh discipline, withholding food, and being aggressively confrontational. We believe the Three Rivers approach leads to internal change while a boot camp approach is very unlikely to lead to lasting change once the child is away from the harsh atmosphere of the boot camp. Three Rivers believes young people are not objects to be fixed. They are young men and women with hopes, dreams, struggles, and needs who have made at-risk choices. Three Rivers offers them the opportunity to make positive changes in their lives.

Is financial assistance available for enrolling my child?
Many of our families have used student loans to assist with the cost. Three Rivers is also able to offer partial scholarship assistance at times. For more information please talk with Mark Parlett or Kevin Murphy in our admissions department,
877-221-1115.

We noticed that Three Rivers Montana is a 501( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit. How is that of benefit to a child or family?
Three Rivers uses any revenue above the basic cost of operating the program to provide exemplary services. These include:

• very small staff to student ratio – 3 to 4 field staff for groups of 8; never higher than a 3:1 student to staff ratio
• mature, experienced staff
• excellent family therapy including 1 1/2 day parent seminar, weekly family therapy sessions for parents, intense family work at graduation, unique family letter assignments
• licensed therapists
• accredited high school curriculum
• Base Camp that allows for assessment and extra measure of safety before your child enters the wilderness portion of the program
• Professional, effective transitional services

The non-profit designation allows donors to provide tax-exempt contributions to Three Rivers for our scholarship fund.

What are the Wilderness Activities? 

• Wilderness Skills -Learning and practicing wilderness skills, including wilderness health and safety procedures, low-impact camping techniques, and creative backcountry skills (cooking, working with leather and natural materials).
• Community - Living in his or her group community and developing skills such as effective communication, making group decisions, conflict resolution and building trusting relationships.
• Service - Students may have the opportunity to complete a work project which will benefit someone other than themselves. Examples include group work projects such as fence building and trail maintenance to enhance the National Forest or other public land the group is using. The service project will involve teamwork, environmental education, accomplishment, planning, and exposure to role models such as forest or park personnel.
• Leadership - Students will be encouraged to exhibit positive leadership through planning and implementing decisions as a group member, organizing and leading group activities, and role modeling appropriate leadership skills.
• Adventure - Adolescents need to find they can have excitement and fun safely without defying rules or using drugs and alcohol. Adventures are safe, challenging, and an integral part of the program.

My son/daughter is not in very good physical shape. How rigorous is the wilderness hiking?
Many students enter the program in poor physical shape. They have the opportunity to exercise and prepare for the rigors of the trail during their base camp stay. Students may hike from one to ten miles per day while carrying a backpack. Teens do not have to be in shape nor athletic to do well on the trail. They gradually improve their physical health and strength during their wilderness experience.

What about safety?
Safety is paramount at Three Rivers.  A Registered Nurse or EMT checks our students on a weekly basis.  Groups communicate on a daily basis via satellite phone. Our staff is trained extensively in backcountry skills and emergencies.  Students are outfitted with high quality gear and clothing.

Is this a religious program?
No. However, we do believe spiritual health is very important. Spirituality is a key element of healing in the Three Rivers program. We have found that due to the intensity of a person’s experience in nature, while in the company of caring people, one can find him or herself in touch with an experience best described as spiritual. Three Rivers is not a denominational program and does not endorse any religion. However, we welcome and respect each individual’s preference regarding their spiritual path.

What are the other teens like?
Students come to Three Rivers with a variety of issues. Three Rivers carefully screens all students to ensure that they are the type of child who can benefit from our program.

Will my child get therapy while at Three Rivers?
Yes. Licensed therapists work with each student. The therapist will meet with your child for individual and group sessions weekly. The therapist spends a minimum of two days and one night per week in the backcountry with the students.  The clinical director also regulary meets with students in the backcountry.  The therapist will also talk with the parents weekly.

I’d like my child to go to Three Rivers but I can’t attend parenting classes. Is it necessary?
Yes. We believe parental involvement is vital to success.

I don’t have experience camping. How much backpacking and camping skill will I need to have to camp with my child at the end of the program?
None. Your child will have the skill to care for you well.

My child is on medications. How do you handle that?
We consult with our psychiatrist or physician concerning medications when necessary. Our staff is trained to safely administer medication.

What kind of equipment and clothing will my child need?
Three Rivers provides everything your child will need as a part of the total cost of treatment. Clothing and equipment are well-designed to keep your child comfortable and safe during his/her wilderness journey, regardless of the season.

What is the staff to student ratio?
3 – 4 staff for 8 student group; never higher than a 3 to 1 student to staff ratio.

Can my child earn high school credits while at Three Rivers?
Yes, by successfully completing the curriculum, he/she will earn six semester credits. This generally equates to a semester of school, giving students who have lost credits a good chance to make up some school time, and for others a jump start forward in their education. Three Rivers High School is accredited so credits transfer to other institutions.

Where is Three Rivers?
It’s located near Bozeman, Montana. Bozeman is about 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park and is served by several major air carriers.

What will my child eat during his/her wilderness experience?
Your child will have ample, nutritious food. Grains, nuts, hot cereals, rice, tortillas, refried beans, fruit, energy bars, pasta, dried milk, vegetables, peanut butter, and meat are examples. Your child will learn to cook outside, using spices to enhance the taste of the backpack foods.

Do you operate in the winter?
Yes. Winter in the Three Rivers operational areas of Montana is beautiful – sparkling snow, crystal clear night skies, and extended sunsets. This is the favorite season for many wilderness staff. The special intimacy of sitting close around a blazing campfire encourages students to speak from their hearts. A winter wilderness experience helps our students focus on what is essential and important in life. Winter is an excellent time for your child to find a change of heart that will lead to a better life.  Heated structures provide extra safety in the event of severe weather conditions.

How will you keep my child safe in the winter?

• Clothing: We use layers suitable for every type of winter weather from the coldest snow storm to warm, wet spring days.
• Sleeping: We use warm sleeping bags, double sleeping pads, and waterproof bivy sacks to cover the sleeping bags. We teach students special techniques for sleeping warmly.
• Shelter: If the weather gets too cold, we can easily access domes with wooden floors (round semi-permanent structures), wall tents, or tipis. The structures are heated with wood burning stoves.
• Food: Campers eat extra calories provided in the nutritious backpack food during the winter. Foods high in protein and fat burn longer and slower, allowing the students’ bodies to heat themselves more efficiently.
• Advance Warning of Severe Weather: Field staff receives daily weather reports.
• Communication: Field staff is equipped with satellite phones enabling them to have immediate contact with the headquarters in the case of any emergency.
• Knowledge: Three Rivers staff is highly skilled in winter camping, backpacking, and leading safe winter activities.
• Medical: All field staff are certified in first aid and CPR and many are certified as Wilderness First Responders and some as EMTs. They routinely check the adolescents several times per day for any physical problems and check more often during cold weather. In addition, a member of the Three Rivers medical staff meets with each teen weekly.
• Emergency evacuation: In the rare event that a client needs emergency medical attention, an evacuation helicopter service is readily available.