Safety is of paramount concern at Three Rivers. Three Rivers follows physical, emotional, and health safety standards at all times.

Staff Safety Qualifications

• All field staff have a bachelor's degree. Some are working on or have a master's degree.
• All field staff are certified in First Aid and CPR, and most are certified as Wilderness First Responders and some as EMTs.

Healthcare for Clients

• A physician examines each student before the he/she leaves the base camp to start the wilderness experience, and provides other services if needed.
• A nurse or Emergency Medical Technician performs a medical check with each student weekly.
• In an emergency, evacuation helicopter service is available.

Links to the Outside

• Satellite phones provide immediate communication between supervisory staff.
• Field staff use radios to communicate with supervisory and support staff while in the field.
• GPS (global positioning systems) provide exact location of each group.
• Supervisory, clinical, and medical staff are available 24 hours per day in the event of an emergency.

Good clothes, good equipment, good decisions

• Student clothing and equipment is chosen for the terrain and weather.
• The base camp provides a safe place for student assessment and orientation before he or she begins the wilderness journey.
• The field staff is very knowledgeable about weather conditions, terrain hazards, and injuries resulting from the heat or cold. These factors play into every decision made in the field.

Winter Safety

• Field staff receive weather reports and forecasts daily.
• Field staff carry and consult thermometers and wind chill charts.
• Field staff carefully check with students many times per day to ensure they are dry and warm.
• Heated "dome" type structures, wall tents, and/or tipis are accessible at all times in the event of very cold weather.

Healthy food and clean water

• Food is nutritious and provides ample calories for the students.  The menu includes grains, beans and lentils, dried fruit, peanut butter, tortillas, potatoes, carrots, onions, meat, fresh fruit, flour, brown sugar, and spices. Special diets can be accommodated.
• Water is carefully purified and monitored. Staff make sure students are adequately hydrated.

Psychological Resources

• Our psychiatrist provides consultation and in-field psychiatric evaluations upon request.
• Collaboration between the field staff and certified therapists facilitates mental health and well-being.
• We ensure emotional safety through a careful assessment of the student's emotional condition and needs.
• When requested by parents, complete psychological and learning assessments are available and conducted by licensed Ph.D. Psychologists after the child has been in the program at least two weeks.
• Students meet individually with a licensed therapist weekly, as well as participate in group therapy.
• Our well-trained and experienced field staff implement and follow-up on assignments from therapists to cope with emotional issues.
• The therapist and the parents talk at least once per week. During this time, parents can communicate any concerns and know these concerns will be fully addressed.

Family Contact

• Parents and teens are guided to write and exchange letters on specific topics.
• Because communication and support from the family enhances the emotional well-being of each student, parents and children are encouraged to write letters to each other weekly.