Who To Contact:  All correspondence regarding participation in DCF Adolescent Services Programs should be directed to the Wilderness School Enrollment Coordinator.  [email: bonnie.sterpka@ct.gov or phone (860) 653-8059 or (800) 273-2293].

Who To Contact:  All correspondence regarding the Outreach Program should be directed to the Wilderness School Outreach Coordinator.  [email: kim.thorne-kaunelis@ct.gov or phone (860) 653-8059 or (800) 273-2293].

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The Wilderness School conducts adventure programs for youth fourteen to twenty-one years old who are involved in the Connecticut State Department of Children and Families (DCF) Adolescent and Transitional Services programs or with the Wilderness School Outreach Program.  The purpose of Wilderness School DCF/Outreach Programs is to assist state and community agencies in providing positive youth development for youth residing in out of home care or with special needs.  Through 1 and 5-Day Wilderness Challenge courses, young people have the opportunity to learn decision-making and problem-solving skills, as well as to focus on increasing self-esteem and personal responsibility.

In addition to providing experiences for individuals and groups, the Wilderness School DCF/Outreach Programs also encourage legal guardians of DCF adolescents and other Referring Agency staff to participate in the program.   This design is intended to assist in the development of the relationships between DCF youth and their social work staff as well as to support other adult relationships in young people's lives.  Wilderness School DCF courses emphasize communication, trust, and the rewards of youth and adults having successful experiences together.

While the model of the Wilderness School DCF/Outreach Programs was specifically designed for young people in the care of DCF, it is also applied to other target groups of youth.   Based upon needs expressed by community agencies, programs may be designed for adolescents from Community Court Support Services (juvenile court), educational organizations, youth agencies, probation offices and alternative incarceration centers, and, when possible, the community at large via open enrollment courses.

The types of activities include:

DCF Regional Student/Agent Day

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DCF adolescents fourteen years and older and Area Office Social Workers are enrolled as groups and spend a day outdoors participating in problem-solving initiatives, new games, and group challenges.  This course gives workers and youth the opportunity to strengthen relationships and develop communication skills.   Activities and initiative problems foster trust, cooperation, teamwork, and group cohesiveness.

One-Day Wilderness Challenge Courses (open enrollment for DCF youth)

DCF youth fourteen years and older are eligible to enroll individually in one-day wilderness challenge courses featuring special activities such as caving, canoeing, rock climbing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tracking and the high ropes course.   Participants engage in challenging activities together and have opportunities to experience goal setting and interpersonal skill enhancement.  Experiences also focus upon gaining self-confidence, trust, and personal responsibility.  DCF youths are referred to these courses by their Social Workers, who may participate as well.

Five-Day Expeditions (open enrollment and/or specific to DCF youth)

DCF youth referred by DCF Social Workers may be enrolled in an intensive backcountry short course scheduled each year.  This experience consists of a four-day backpacking expedition and added special activities such as rock climbing, ropes course, solo experience or canoeing.  Group and individual camping tasks provide opportunities for participants to demonstrate and develop leadership, cooperation skills, and personal responsibility.  The final day of the course is devoted to a special activity such as caving, rock climbing, or canoeing.  Students may attend either open enrollment courses or may choose a course designed for a specified group such as older adolescents involved in Independent Living or youth participating in the DCF Rites of Passage program.

DCF One-Day Courses

DCF Adolescent and Transitional Services programs enroll groups of DCF youth in one-day experiences at the Wilderness School base camp.   These courses are designed for the specific needs of participating groups, and can be utilized at various stages of a group’s development.  Activities include problem-solving initiatives, team-building activities, and group challenges.  Opportunities to develop leadership skills, strengthen group cohesiveness, and practice decision-making skills are presented and discussed throughout the day.

Agency Orientation Courses For DCF Staff

DCF staff may enroll in one and two-day agency courses designed to familiarize them with Wilderness School programs, philosophy, and methodology, and prepare them to recruit and orient students to 20-Day, 5-Day or Alumni Expeditions.   Course activities use a hands-on approach of developing the experience and knowledge of the Wilderness School necessary for successful referrals to 20-Day, 5-Day and Alumni Expeditions.  These activities include initiative problems, day hikes, overnight backpacking, or overnight expedition experiences.

Outreach Programs for Youth

Wilderness School Outreach Programs are designed to increase access to the program for youth in more restrictive out of home care settings as well as other youth not yet appropriate for more intensive Wilderness School activities.  This may include residents of DCF facilities, incarcerated (juvenile justice) boys and girls, youth with special requirements for participation, and other special populations.  Programs vary in duration and skills or abilities required, and are designed to provide an entry level experience with the Wilderness School.  Activities range from evening campfires to full day initiative activity programs for group development.  Participants may progress from Outreach activities to DCF Wilderness Challenge programs as well as expeditions.

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DCF Rites of Passage Program

The DCF Rites of Passage Program is a collaborative series of multi-cultural experiences focusing upon positive youth development and an individual's connection to culturally specific rites of passage traditions. This program seeks to prepare youth for adulthood and recognize Rites of Passage traditions from the African American, Latino, Native American and European American cultures.  All participants take part in a Wilderness School 5-Day Expedition as a means of having a physically and emotionally rigorous journey experience promoting leadership, communication, problem solving, and self reliance. 

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