“There is more to us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” — Kurt Hahn, Founder of Outward Bound and the adventure therapy movement.
What is Adventure Therapy?
Adventure therapy uses nature and its unpredictable elements as a way of helping patients cultivate strong characteristics, face problems, and improve health. Many people do not respond to traditional group or individual therapy. Talking about feelings can be difficult without a catalyst for these people. Adventure therapy provides that catalyst through physical and emotional challenges that come with experiencing new environments and changing elements.
Where did Adventure Therapy Begin?
Kurt Hahn founded Outward Bound in Great Britain to train British seamen with physical and emotional challenges. He created a 21-Day survival program designed to strengthen young seamen and increase awareness of one’s own potential. This was in response to Lawrence Holt’s concern over loosing seamen in the Battle of the Atlantic.
Today, Outward Bound serves 35 nations on five continents and still strives to awaken people to their own potential. Development of leadership and character is key to the program. Hahn believed youth will find their potential through challenge and achievement. Outward Bound honors those sentiments by helping people to develop skills, inner strengths, and compassionate service to others in need.
Learn from Example in Adventure Therapy
Hahn was a deeply spiritual person. All his endeavors embraced the story of the good Samaritan and service to others. His motto for Outward Bound is “To serve, to strive and not to yield.” But he did not believe in preaching to those who enter his programs. He stood on learning from example and Outward Bound keeps to that belief in all their programs. This is embodied in his conversation with Josh Miner, founder of Outward Bound in the United States. “There are three ways of trying to win the young. There is persuasion. There is compulsion. There is attraction. You can preach at them; that is a hook without a worm. You can say “You must volunteer; that is the devil. And you can tell them, ‘You are needed.’ That appeal hardly ever fails.”
Adventure Therapy for At-Risk Populations
Adventure therapy teaches technical skills needed for survival. But it also teaches relevant skills needed for living. Those who embrace this method of learning cultivate self-esteem, courage, and learn interdependence with others. They learn they are needed in this world. These skills help at-risk populations learn how to combat addictions, mental health problems, and traumatic pasts.
Aion Recovery Prepares People for Adventure Therapy
Adventure therapy can help recovering addicts find themselves again by encouraging personal growth and interdependence. While a great stepping stone in recovery, most adventure therapy programs are not equipped to support active addictions or newly recovered people. Aion Recovery in Southern Florida can help you prepare for adventure therapy by completing a detox program and 30 to 90 days of therapy. Once you are resolved to stay sober, adventure therapy will help you strengthen your commitment. Call Aion Recovery at 888-811-2879 to start your journey to sobriety.
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