OVERVIEW:
Outdoor Therapies, Inc. is a nonprofit organization formed in Georgia in November 2023 by identical twin brothers – one, an outdoorsman; and the other, a juvenile justice officer. The objective of Outdoor Therapies, Inc. is to improve juvenile behavior and reduce recidivism. This is accomplished by providing non-punitive services to troubled and challenged urban youngsters and juvenile delinquents between the ages of 10-18 by way of therapeutic, outdoor activities that also serve the sons and daughters of veterans.
INTRODUCTION:
Outdoor Therapies, Inc. is a composite of quality time spent in the great outdoors, psycho-therapy sessions, role modeling, on-site professional counseling, life coaching and individual field training. A selection of therapeutic activities is prescribed by psychologists and counselors for each program recipient. Therefore, the experience of each recipient is customized towards their personal needs for a prescribed number of hours per day until their therapy or recommended time in the program is complete.
Additionally, the number of men and women who have faithfully served the United States through the armed forces have sons and daughters who may suffer from PTSD, depression, and various other forms of anxieties due to experiences that have been traumatic and daunting to their parents. These children also stand in need of Outdoor Therapies, Inc.
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INTEGRATION OF LIFE SKILLS & BUILDING QUALITY CHARACTER:
Target recipients to the Outdoor Therapies program include veterans and their families, and troubled youth who are young offenders that need advocacy and intervention. The Outdoor Therapies program is a composite of quality time spent outdoors, role modeling, professional counseling and individual training. An ethical standard is maintained as each recipient knows they are in a safe space. We maintain adequate adult supervision for each scheduled activity.
"OUTDOOR THERAPIES" ACTIVITIES:
Activities available by Outdoor Therapies, Inc. include the following:
1. Gardening - planting and tending to vegetables, fruit, herb and flower seedlings until harvest, learning patience and a greater appreciation for food,
2. Hiking - physical use of core body faculties for extended distances,
3. Foraging - finding natural resources used for food, hunting, shelter and fire-making,
4. Camping - setting up a functional campsite; setting up tent, campfire, fire wall,
5. Fishing - learning to set up a fishing line; casting, reeling, and catching fish,
6. Birdwatching - observing and identifying birds and other animals within a specific ecosystem, appreciating various life forms,
7. Kite Flying - navigating the use of the wind to make a kite fly,
8. Navigation - learning the use of maps, a compass and natural / living things to find one's way out of the woods,
9. Geocaching - locating and finding hidden items,
10. Nature Art - using natural materials for creative expression,
11. Kayaking - use of rowing action in a kayak to a destination,
12. Swimming - physical use of core body faculties in water for a distance,
13. Bushcrafting - setting up shelter and other life necessities from natural resources,
14. Wilderness First Aid - use of natural materials to treat various wounds and injuries,
15. Campfire Cooking - cook foraged edibles as well as fished or hunted game,
16. Meditation & Deep Breathing - learning to focus inwardly, improving self-image,
17. Yoga & Tai Chi - learning inner balance, focus, and discipline,
18. Wind Instruments & Musical Beats - synchronizing your harmony with nature,
19. Crystal Reiki Healing - balancing one's being with nature,
20. Mine Crafting - uncovering crystals and rare stones native to the land,
21. Nature Journalizing - writing one's personal experiences and feelings while in nature,
22. Fire Crafting*** - creating fire from various tools and materials,
The following activities are reward-based following a clear demonstration of trust, maturity and measurable progress.
23. Archery*** - using a bow and arrow to hit a distant target, learning inner focus,
24. Self Defense*** - physical use of one's extremities to defend oneself, and
25. Marksmanship*** - use of various firearms for targeting, learn relaxed breathing.
*** Activities will be assigned to individuals on a case-by-case basis.
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OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS:
Life management skills are essential for individuals to incorporate following this program. Therefore, recipients learn money management skills along with time management skills and test-taking skills to mitigate the challenges of school and life, in general.
DRUG INTERVENTION:
Features to our program include drug prevention, intervention and rehabilitation. We actively address the existence of a drug culture and how young people must acknowledge how they personally confront stress. Mitigating and neutralizing the motivators for an individual to use drugs and alcohol is the beginning.
We have strategies whose aim is to mitigate the onset of substance use, whether it's illegal or medical prescription, including - information dissemination, problem identification, alternatives, professional intervention, community involvement, and additional referrals. Our proposed outcome is to eventually bring the program recipient to a place of sustainable recovery.
FINANCIAL LITERACY & VOCATIONAL TRAINING:
Other additional features to our program include financial literacy classes offered by financial and banking institution sponsors and vocational training in areas of farming, horticulture, carpentry and bricklaying, plumbing, auto mechanics, green engineering, etc.
PROJECTED OUTCOMES:
1. The lives and livelihood of U.S. veterans and their families will be greatly enhanced.
2. The number of youth homicide and youth suicide will decrease.
3. The improvement made in the lives of all those involved in this program will be measurable and observed.
4. Lifelong skill sets will be enhanced and so will each person's quality of life.
5. Value will be added to outdoor living.
6. Positive correction will be achieved in a non-punitive manner.
7. Juvenile justice will be redefined through our program.
8. Outdoor Therapies, Inc. will be a quality resource for statewide juvenile justice programs.
9. Therapies used for the sons and daughters of U.S. veterans will be redefined through our program.
10. All participants will know a variety of survival skills that are practical for everyday living.
Our activities and their grouped components connect directly to our desired outcomes – improved behavior and reduced recidivism. The behavior we expect to see from our recipients after completing our program includes positive changes in their actions, habits and reactions that bring about personal growth and optimal well-being. We identify and bring resolve to the function or dysfunction that maintains problem behavior in our recipients and develop a successful support plan for positive behavior: socially, emotionally, and communicatively. We also expect our recipients not to relapse into criminal behavior resulting in rearrest.
DONATE
We stand in need of your support as this will broaden our impact to help create individuals to become productive members of society. We are an approved 501(c)3 and any donation you provide us is 100% tax-deductible.
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PARTICIPATE
If your organization or department stands in need of our services, please contact us as soon as possible.
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VOLUNTEER
If you'd like to assist us in making this benchmark program a reality for those who stand in need of our services, contact us.
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