Each applicant is prescreened by the Second Nature clinical team prior to acceptance. Acceptance is based on consultation with the student’s parents and Educational Consultants and/or home clinicians, a thorough review of the student’s current and past history of behavior, and psycho-educational testing when appropriate. 

  • All Second Nature students receive a complete physical prior to entering the field.

  • Students receive on-going medical assessments every 14 days by a physician, EMT or RN.

  • All staff are screened and background checked (State and Federal).

  • Staff-to-student ratios meet or exceed state minimums.

  • Each Second Nature group is comprised of Field Staff with CPR and at least one Wilderness First Responder (WFR), exceeding the state's requirements for medical training. Instructors are trained in and certified in crisis intervention & de-escalation systems (Aegis).

  • Staff members attend regular training on crisis intervention and emergency preparedness.

  • Second Nature employs a full-time Medical Director.

  • Field Instructors are taught to use conservative judgment when determining group activities—keeping student health and safety as first priority—before all other program and clinical agenda.

  • Each student is properly outfitted from head to toe with the highest quality gear and clothing.

  • Each student is provided with a diet rich in fresh fruits, meats, vegetables, grains, nuts, and safe water.

  • Access to heated tents during extreme weather is provided.

  • Regular attendance at workshops, conferences, and seminars in wilderness medicine, risk management and search and rescue techniques are provided and required.

  • Second Nature uses satellite phones, two-way radios (with company-owned and maintained repeaters), cell phones, GPS units, emergency contact and safety consultations with field management.

  • 24-hour on call support staff are available to groups for emergency services 365 days per year.

  • In emergency situations, Second Nature has access to support from EMS (Emergency Medical Service).