"Mountainside's Adventure Based Initiatives has given me a new outlook towards life and has helped me to overcome the fear of trusting others that has kept
me from achieving sobriety in the past" Pam G.
One of the many programs at Mountainside that residents can participate in is our innovative Adventure Based Initiatives program. Through an innovative and flexible curriculum we are able to fit the needs of the widest range of residents, their interests and needs. Whether the individual is 18 or 90 years of age, all that is needed to participate in the program is the willingness to try something new and a sense of adventure. |
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Therapeutic Challenge |
 “You can learn more from a person in an hour of play than you can in a lifetime of conversation” - PLATO
Many behaviors that arise in a person during the Adventure Based Program can be expected to re-occur in other situations that may be similar through-out that person’s life. This program gives our residents a unique and memorable experience to look back on as they attempt to identify and address key issues and behaviors that impact their recovery process. Through the participants involvement in adventure programming the group and the individuals are placed in circumstances that provide immediate information that can be transferred metaphorically into meaningful real-life lessons. Therefore, the adventure-based setting itself presents learning opportunities for participants to draw upon. |
Innovative ways to help people recover from addiction |
 A major component of the Adventure Based Program is the reflection process in which facilitators focus discussion around how particular experiences can be applied to relevant issues of recovery. The discussion typically follows after an event but can also occur during and/or in the beginning when facilitators are “framing” the activity, introducing the group to some of the applicable 12-step and recovery-based metaphors. Facilitators ask questions and offer observations that help guide the discussion and enable residents to come to their own conclusions about their experience and subsequent goals in light of any self-awareness gained. The progressively challenging initiatives encourage the participant's physical, mental and emotional growth inspiring personal change. Individuals are empowered to choose their own level of involvement in each activity. Together, the group commits to support, encourage, and trust each other throughout the activities. |
Located at the base of a mountain |
 Facilitators work with residents on a continuing basis in order to expand upon the process which begins on the mountain. In other words, the learning experience which is facilitated by the Adventure Based Program provides a foundation for further work that can be done during a persons stay at Mountainside. By working with residents individually and in conjunction with the Treatment Team, facilitators can help residents gauge their progress and assist them in isolating any healthy and/or unhealthy behaviors and attitudes. Methods often suggested to residents to help them to enhance the experience are journaling, further participation in the Therapeutic Challenge Program, processing within their pods (small groups), utilizing other aspects of Mountainside’s overall program, getting connected with a 12-Step community and working with their counselors and/or other staff. Results are measured by residents’ involvement in such activities, willingness to engage and be active participants, ability to identify and address issues related to their recovery, goal-setting and functional behavior changes.
 Mountainside has been offering “Adventure Based” challenges to its residents since the day we first opened our doors. These challenges have mainly focused on the development of personal life skills through the process of group-based initiatives. Skills such as communication, goal setting, trust and cooperation are the basic elements our current program has had to offer.
Today, Mountainside is growing in size and scope in all aspects of our treatment program. Our treatment model is designed to offer individual attention to each resident, offering multiple opportunities to develop the understanding and tools to live an addiction free life. Our Challenge Course includes various low ropes elements, that allow us to offer a controlled environment in which we address some of the more challenging behaviors exhibited in early recovery.
 "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks".-
John Muir.
Hiking allows residents an opportunity to address the physical component of the three-pronged disease of addiction which affects the mind, body, and the spirit. Exercise has long been known to release “feel good chemicals” in the brain and to alleviate stress in some individuals. Being outdoors also gives residents a chance to appreciate nature and explore different avenues of spirituality. For people that have been suffering from debilitating and painful addictions, feeling good again and having enjoyable sober experiences are superb motivators for them to pursue a better way of life. There are many different activities from the “Mountainside Magic Bag” that facilitators can incorporate into the hikes in order to enhance the hiking experience. With each activity there is the appropriate processing and debriefing period. The purpose of these activities is to encourage discussion, have good old fashioned FUN, and give residents creative new ways to look at recovery and spirituality.
 The Sweat Lodge (aka Native American Stones People Lodge) ceremony is a traditional Native American process of purification or cleansing of the mind, body, and spirit. The term “Sweat Lodge” describes both the physical structure and the ceremony that occurs inside of it. The lodge itself is a domed shaped hut made from small trees in a form that represents the “womb” of Mother Earth. Our Stones People Lodge is located at a special base camp on Mountain next to a rushing mountain stream.
We bring stones heated in a fire into the lodge. Water is poured over the stones thus creating steam. This optional offering is very special to all of those who choose to participate. |
All residents, from those that are fully motivated to those that have difficulty being engaged in treatment, have demonstrated that TCP can help them so long as they are committed to the trip and its process. |
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Speak with someone immediately in our Admissions Office at: 1-800-762-5433 |
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All material copyright by Mountainside Foundation.
Information• 1-800-762-5433
P.O. Box 717• Canaan, Connecticut 06018
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