The journey to recovery for young people is especially difficult, as personalities are still developing, pressures on parents and children these days is phenomenal, and the added challenge of making it through school is a compounding factor. Getting a child out into the jarring reality of nature in the wild can be a sobering experience in and of itself. Combined with the providence of life skills and relationship building, it is a potent mix that refocuses priorities and allows for a clean slate in a child's young life.

Through these challenges and accomplishments, natural developments originate from time immersed in a personal "crucible" of the wilderness. They then will begin to develop such necessary life skills and values as courage, self discipline, respect, honesty, work ethic, trust and compassion. Ultimately, the intense 12 step program utilized in this program (based upon the "Joe and Charley" approach to the 12 Steps) will more readily imprint itself on receptive hearts and minds!

Hassayampa River Ranch is set amongst 118,400 acres of Arizona's wildest country, providing a setting most conducive to the recovery process. Here our counselors can begin to assess, stabilize and provide essential structure and training that will get residents on their way to recovery and a fulfilling ranch experience. At this initial stage, residents negotiate the 90-day orientation component of the program, where staff will be focusing on helping residents make an easy transition into treatment.

The isolated environment of Hassayampa River Ranch aid residents with 12 Step Facilitation of recovery, in a natural setting, complete with equine interactive skills building, instilling of lasting work ethic, communication skills and relationship establishment. Here, residents learn peaceful cooperation with others, establishing a work ethic, self-realization, and re-prioritization, through life skills building. Interaction in a natural setting is designed to provide young people with recovery issues the means to "graduate" to a new, fresh sense of life. A true sense of community living is created, helping to establish healthy relationships, and preparation for transition to the longer-term Gatehouse Academy.

It is here that the first three steps of recovery are established, moving the recovering young person onward through phases which include:

• Yoga
• Hiking
• Art Projects
• Therapeutic Services
• Life Skills Coaching
• Group Therapy
• Family Communication
• Mentor Peer Accountability and
• Comprehension Studies through Film and accompanying Workbook

The Concept of Unity in the first tradition is lived out fully as the self-centered addict learns to put something more important ahead of self and learns that survival actually depends on it. Our common Welfare should come First, as personal recovery depends on Group Unity. To a younger generation of addicts and alcoholics, Nature unequivocally proves a supreme teacher and provides the pathway to an essential spirituality which is at the core of the 12 Step Program. Being in essence beyond man-made concepts, Nature instructs the inner life of each resident, guiding them on a life-altering adventure into their own personal and spiritual awakening.

The natural beauty of the Hassayampa River Ranch gives residents spiritual connection to their environment allowing them to deal with core issues and recover. By stepping out of their comfort zones and into the challenges presented by the great outdoors of the west, they will confront limited beliefs and long-standing emotional patterns in a real and pro-active way. This participation with the natural environment gives residents a sense of belonging, allowing them to experience authentic, intimate relationships that meet on the common ground of shared emotions and spirituality on their journey to recovery.