When Your Child Is Struggling
and Nothing Else Has Worked
There's a place where teens find themselves again—not through lectures or punishment,
but through the transformative power of nature.
Connecting with Nature Creates Lasting Change
Accredited nature-based treatment for teens struggling with anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, and more.
A Message for Families at a Crossroads
For Parents: You're Not Alone
Your child isn't who they used to be. The light in their eyes has dimmed. Traditional therapy appointments haven't worked. You've walked on eggshells, set boundaries that crumbled, and questioned everything you've done as a parent.
You need more than weekly sessions. You need immersion.
At Second Nature, your child will spend 6-10 weeks in small groups of 6-8 teens, guided by licensed therapists and experienced field instructors. They'll face real challenges—building fires, navigating trails, supporting peers—that can't be manipulated or avoided. These experiences become powerful metaphors that therapists use to unlock deeper conversations about accountability, resilience, and change.
And here's what matters most: You're part of this journey. Weekly therapy calls, guided letter writing, and family therapy ensure you're learning alongside your child—rebuilding trust and communication from the foundation up.
For Teens: This Isn't Punishment
We know you probably didn't choose to be here, and that's okay. Most students arrive feeling angry, misunderstood, or just numb. That's normal.
Here's what Second Nature actually is:
You'll be outside—hiking, camping, learning skills like making fire with a bow-drill (yes, actually creating fire from scratch). You'll be in a small group with other teens who get it. No phones, no social media pressure, no BS. Just real conversations around a campfire with people who've been where you are.
No one lectures you. No one forces you to "open up." Instead, you'll face challenges that are actually hard—and when you do something you didn't think you could (like that first ember glowing from the bow-drill), something shifts. You start to see yourself differently.
The therapists here are different too. They're not trying to fix you. They're helping you figure out who you actually are when all the noise disappears.
Is Your Family Facing Any of These Struggles?
You're not failing as a parent. These challenges are complex, and they require specialized intervention. Second Nature has successfully treated thousands of teens experiencing:
Depression, Anxiety & Mood Disorders
Your teen withdraws to their room, avoids activities they once loved, or experiences intense mood swings. Sleep patterns are disrupted. Suicidal thoughts may have emerged. Traditional therapy and medication haven't been enough. In nature, with daily exercise, healthy sleep rhythms, and constant therapeutic processing, depressive symptoms often lift within 2-3 weeks.
Substance Abuse & Dependency
Your teen withdraws to their room, avoids activities they once loved, or experiences intense mood swings. Sleep patterns are disrupted. Suicidal thoughts may have emerged. Traditional therapy and medication haven't been enough. In nature, with daily exercise, healthy sleep rhythms, and constant therapeutic processing, depressive symptoms often lift within 2-3 weeks.
Low Self-Esteem & Identity Issues
Your child doesn't believe in themselves anymore. They've internalized failure. Nature-based therapy is uniquely effective at rebuilding self-worth through authentic achievement. Every bow-drill fire they create, every mile they hike, every peer they support becomes evidence of their capability. They leave with a newly discovered self-image rooted in real accomplishment.
Academic Failure & School Refusal
School has become a battleground—or they've stopped going altogether. Whether driven by learning disabilities, anxiety, or motivational issues, Second Nature's accredited academic program helps students earn transferable credits while addressing the underlying emotional and behavioral patterns sabotaging their education.
Family Conflict & Miscommunication
Every conversation escalates into a fight—or you've stopped trying to talk altogether. The connection you once had with your child feels irreparably broken. Through guided letter writing and family therapy, Second Nature helps families process anger and hurt, learning new communication skills to establish healthier relationship patterns.
Gaming, Internet & Technology Addiction
Your teen lives in a virtual world, neglecting real-life relationships and responsibilities. The constant digital stimulation has rewired their reward systems. In the wilderness, free from screens, students rediscover authentic human connection and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
We Don't Lecture.
We Let Nature Teach.
Most therapy tries to convince teens to change through talking. Second Nature takes a fundamentally different approach: we create experiences where self-awareness, accountability, and confidence emerge organically.
"The bow-drill doesn't care about excuses. It requires patience, persistence, and precise technique. When that first ember finally glows—after dozens of failed attempts—students don't just feel proud. They understand, in their bones, that hard work over time creates results."
This is metaphorical learning. Our licensed therapists help students decode these wilderness experiences and apply the lessons to their real-life struggles. The lessons aren't imposed from above—they're discovered from within.
Accountability
Nature's consequences are immediate & non-negotiable.
Metaphor
Wilderness challenges mirror life challenges in profound ways.
EXPERIENTIAL
Students must demonstrate change, not just talk about it.
Your Teen's Journey: Four Phases of Growth
Every student progresses through carefully designed phases—earning increased autonomy and privileges as they demonstrate growth. This isn't arbitrary; it's teaching the critical life skill that responsibility and freedom are connected.
EARTH PHASE
Days 1-14 (typical)
| Building Foundation
Phase Overview
After arrival, medical clearance, and gear outfitting, your child enters Earth Phase—a time of observation, simplification, and taking stock. They're welcomed by their group in a student-led ceremony emphasizing safety, trust, and accountability.
What Happens
- Assigned a peer mentor who guides them through adjustment
- Option for solitude or group participation as they acclimate
- Begin journaling and writing their "Life Story" assignment
- Focus on basic self-care and compliance with safety expectations
- Processing what led them to this point in their life
Key Assignment:
Life Story (confronting and owning their full story)
Student Experience:
"Everything that felt important at home—my phone, my image, my excuses—none of that works here. For the first time in years, I had to actually sit with my thoughts. It was uncomfortable. But also... kind of relieving?"
Transition Requirement:
Must complete basic assignments and request to join the group formally.
EARTH PHASE
Days 1-14 (typical)
| Building Foundation
Phase Overview
After arrival, medical clearance, and gear outfitting, your child enters Earth Phase—a time of observation, simplification, and taking stock. They're welcomed by their group in a student-led ceremony emphasizing safety, trust, and accountability.
What Happens
- Assigned a peer mentor who guides them through adjustment
- Option for solitude or group participation as they acclimate
- Begin journaling and writing their "Life Story" assignment
- Focus on basic self-care and compliance with safety expectations
- Processing what led them to this point in their life
Key Assignment:
Life Story (confronting and owning their full story)
Student Experience:
"Everything that felt important at home—my phone, my image, my excuses—none of that works here. For the first time in years, I had to actually sit with my thoughts. It was uncomfortable. But also... kind of relieving?"
Transition Requirement:
Must complete basic assignments and request to join the group formally.
FIRE PHASE
Weeks 2-5 (typical)
| Igniting Change
Phase Overview
Most therapy tries to convince teens to change through talking. Second Nature takes a fundamentally different approach: we create experiences where self-awareness, accountability, and confidence emerge organically.
What Happens
- Read parents' "Letters of Concern" in group (often a turning point)
- Write "Letter of Accountability" (no excuses, just honest ownership)
- Master bow-drill fire making through repeated practice
- Daily formal and informal group therapy sessions
- Learn from and teach peers (peer-to-peer learning intensifies)
- Assigned a dedicated Field Instructor for one-on-one support
Key Assignment:
Letter of Accountability
Student Experience:
"Reading my parents' letters destroyed me. I had no idea how much I'd hurt them. But the group held space for my emotions without judging me. That's when I actually wanted to change—not because I had to, but because I saw myself clearly for the first time."
Transition Requirement:
Demonstrate consistent accountability and positive group leadership.
WATER PHASE
Weeks 5-8 (typical)
Phase Overview
Water shapes the earth over time—persistent, patient, powerful. Students in Water Phase have moved beyond accountability into genuine insight, beginning to understand the deeper "why" behind their patterns.
What Happens
- Co-create their treatment plan with their therapist
- Take leadership roles in group (mentoring newer students)
- Write "Letter of Concern" to parents (role reversal that builds empathy)
- Master advanced primitive skills and crafts
- Participate in aftercare planning discussions
- Lead group activities, chores, and meal times
Key Assignment:
Letter of Concern to parents
Student Experience:
"I stopped just doing what they told me to do. I started actually wanting to help other kids who reminded me of myself two months ago. Something had shifted—I was thinking about my future, not just surviving the present."
Transition Requirement:
Consistent positive leadership and self-directed growth.
AIR PHASE
Weeks 8+ (earned, not automatic)
| Embodying Freedom
Phase Overview
Air Phase is rare—awarded only to students who demonstrate exceptional self-direction and the ability to make healthy choices autonomously. The privilege of greater freedom tests whether change is genuine and internalized.
What Happens
- Self-directed treatment (using staff and group as resources, not needing constant oversight)
- Trusted with additional privileges and responsibilities
- Support staff in managing group dynamics
- Finalize transition plans and aftercare preparations
- Demonstrate readiness for life after Second Nature
Key Assignment:
Final letter to self
Student Experience:
"Air Phase wasn't about getting special treatment. It was about proving to myself that I could make good choices without someone watching. That confidence changed everything."
Transition Requirement:
Graduation to next level of care.
PROVEN SAFETY. VERIFIED RESULTS.
25+ Years
Transforming Families
2x Safer
Than Being Home
83% of alumni
Doing Better 2 Years Later
67 Points
Average Improvement
Your Child's Safety Is Our #1 Priority
We understand that sending your child into the wilderness feels counterintuitive when you're already worried about their wellbeing. Here's what you need to know:
- 2:1 Staff-to-Student Ratio. Two trained professionals for every student in the field
- Licensed & Monitored. Utah State-licensed, NATSAP-accredited, regular compliance inspections
- Impeccable Safety Record. Verified by state licensing officials over 25+ years
- Lower Injury Rates. OBH programs have injury rates 328x lower than high school football, 20x lower than teen backpacking
Medical Protocols:
- Complete medical physical before entering field
- Daily vital signs monitoring
- On-site medical team with wilderness medicine certifications
- Access to medical evacuation if needed (rare but prepared)
- Fresh water delivered daily
"In 2012, the average American adolescent was two times more likely to visit an emergency room than participants in outdoor behavioral healthcare programs." —Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Center
Independently Verified Results You Can Trust
Second Nature was one of the first wilderness programs to conduct independent outcome studies. We don't just claim to help—we prove it with data.
Specific Improvements:
↑ Self-confidence
↑ Emotional regulation
↑ Hope for the future
↑ Life effectiveness
↑ Interpersonal relationships
↓ Depressive symptoms
↓ Anxiety
↓ Behavioral problems
Long-Term Follow-Up:
At 6 and 18 months after graduation, students maintained their progress. While some symptoms increased slightly post-treatment, they remained in the normal range—proving students generalize the skills learned and sustain growth.
Cognia Accredited
Utah Special Purpose School
Your Teen Won't Fall Behind Academically
Second Nature is the only wilderness therapy program with Utah Special Purpose School accreditation—guaranteeing transferable credits nationwide.
One of parents' biggest fears is that wilderness therapy will derail their child's education. At Second Nature, the opposite happens. We're nationally accredited by Cognia and state-approved as a Special Purpose School, ensuring all credits earned transfer seamlessly.
Academic Integration
Students earn up to 4 semester credits in core subjects:
- Biology (experiential learning in natural environment)
- English (journaling, therapeutic writing, communication)
- Physical Education (hiking, camping, primitive skills)
- Psychology (self-awareness, group dynamics, emotional intelligence)
Why This Matters:
Many students arrive with a history of school failure, avoidance, or anxiety around academics. Our curriculum is self-paced and experiential, allowing students who've only seen D's and F's to earn A's and B's—rebuilding academic confidence.
Many students report that Second Nature was the first time they felt genuinely successful in school.
A Day in the Life at Second Nature
Nomadic backpacking means your teen lives simply, moving camp regularly, fully immersed in the wilderness experience. Here's what daily life actually looks like:
Does This Sound Like Your Teen?
Second Nature works with adolescents (ages 13-17) facing a wide range of challenges. You don't need a formal diagnosis—you just need to know that what you're currently trying isn't working.
The Withdrawn Child
Profile:
They've retreated into their room. They don't talk to you anymore. The kid who used to be engaged and joyful now seems hollow, going through motions with no spark. They're struggling with depression or anxiety that medication and outpatient therapy haven't touched.
What Second Nature Offers:
Daily exercise, natural sleep rhythms, constant therapeutic processing, and a community that gently draws them back into connection. Most depressive symptoms lift within 2-3 weeks.
The Angry, Defiant Teen
Profile:
Every conversation is a fight. They refuse rules, disrespect authority, and push every boundary. You don't recognize this person—the defiance has taken over. Traditional consequences don't work; they just escalate.
What Second Nature Offers:
Natural consequences that can't be argued with. Nature doesn't negotiate. The immovable reality of wilderness living, combined with peer accountability and therapeutic processing, breaks through oppositional patterns.
The Substance User
Profile:
What started as experimentation has become their primary coping mechanism. They're using regularly—maybe alcohol, marijuana, pills, or harder substances. You've found evidence, confronted them, begged, punished, and nothing changes.
What Second Nature Offers:
Specialized addiction-focused groups using the 12-step model. Complete removal from substance access combined with learning healthier coping skills. Students leave prepared to engage with AA and maintain sobriety.
The Academic Avoider
Profile:
They're failing classes or refusing to go to school altogether. Anxiety, learning disabilities, or motivational issues have created a pattern of avoidance. You don't know if they'll graduate or what comes next.
What Second Nature Offers:
Accredited academics that rebuild confidence through success. Psychoeducational testing to identify underlying issues. Experiential learning that bypasses previous school trauma.
The Digitally Addicted
Profile:
They live in their screens—gaming, social media, internet—neglecting real-life relationships and responsibilities. Attempts to limit access create explosive conflict. You've lost your child to the digital world.
What Second Nature Offers:
Complete digital detox. Rediscovery of authentic human connection, nature's beauty, and internal satisfaction not mediated by screens. New neural pathways for healthy reward systems.
The Trauma Survivor
Profile:
Your child has experienced trauma—abuse, loss of a parent or loved one, or other deeply painful events. They're coping through destructive behaviors, and traditional therapy hasn't provided enough support to heal.
What Second Nature Offers:
Highly skilled trauma therapists in small, safe group settings. Nature's grounding presence combined with expert clinical care helps students process pain and shame, developing healthier coping strategies.
See our complete list of issues we address: Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Substance Abuse, Gaming Addiction, Academic Failure, Low Self-Esteem, Defiance, Family Conflict, Grief & Loss, Attachment Issues, Identity Challenges, Victims of Abuse, and more.
Questions Parents Ask Before Taking the Next Step
Still have a question? We're here to help.