The mission of Three Rivers is to provide a safe, nurturing environment that invites significant positive change in adolescents and their families, guiding all members of the family towards healthy choices and relationships.

Three Rivers believes youth do not need to be fixed or changed. They are young people with hopes, dreams, struggles, and needs who have made at-risk choices. Three Rivers offers them the opportunity to take ownership of their change and to make healthy decisions.

Treatment at Three Rivers addresses the choices the adolescent is making. Parent involvement is an essential part of the success of treatment. Individualized treatment is designed to meet the needs of the student and family.

Though the Three Rivers model is a unique approach for the problems of adolescents, it is effective, traditional, and proven. Three Rivers believes the teens who enroll have strengths they can be empowered to use. They do not need to be "fixed". Students learn to trust and to challenge old thoughts and behaviors. The outdoors provides a safe but demanding environment that cannot be manipulated. The approach by the therapists and field staff is individualized, direct, supportive and positive.

Three Rivers is non-punitive. The program philosophy is based on choice (we can't always choose our situation but we can choose our response and we can make decisions),  internal change, respect, caring, honesty, and honest relationships. Three Rivers is designed to invite parents and teens to experience a profound internal change.  Lasting positive changes in behavior follow a change within.

The Three Rivers Philosophy:

·                   To influence change, a relationship must be developed.  Creating healthy relationships is dependent upon staff creating an environment using both love and discipline.  Love + Discipline = Relationship = Change

·                   The combination of caring, qualified staff and the outdoors provides the foundation we use to create a positive, therapeutic environment.

·                   When the student takes ownership over his/her change, he/she is ready to make  positive choices and positive relationships.

·                   The family must be an active and committed part of the treatment. 

·                   Everyone has the right and responsibility to make choices, regardless of circumstances.

·                   Each individual is responsible for the choices she or he makes.

·                   Attention to the physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual aspects of the individual are important for sustained change to take place.

·                   Service to others and gratitude are necessary components of positive change.

·                   Therapeutic change is most likely to take place when all staff, the family, the student, and other important people in the family’s life (ed consultant, therapists, extended family, teachers, religious leaders, mentors) work as a team.

·                   An improved and healthy relationship between student and parents is vital for lasting change.

·                   Positive change in students and families needs support and nurturance to continue after the student leaves Three Rivers.

·                   All aspects of the program rely upon clear communication.

·                   Students must be empowered to establish and achieve goals.