SUWS Of The Carolinas

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Last year on June 6, 2014, my parents told me we were going to look for mountain houses in North Carolina. I really didn't think anything of it and I was currently grounded for drinking and smoking pot so I had to agree to go. The ride was long and everything seemed fine to me. After about 2 hours of being in the car, my parents pulled the car over, locked the doors, and told me they were sending me to a theroputic wilderness camp. I immediately freaked out because it was the beginning of my summer and I had no clue what was going on. My parents had to drag me to sign in and when they dropped my off I told them I hated them for doing this to me because at the time I really thought i did. I had high anxiety, excpecially in new situations so of course I was freaking out. They two girls who came and helped me change into the SUWS clothing were extremely nice and helpful and made me feel more comfortable. The first night I stayed at Base Camp and cried the whole night not sleeping at all. We were aloud to read and some instructors would read to us before we went to bed which was nice. We had a journal that we could right in and we also were given as much letter writing paper we needed. Once I got to my group, things were sorta fun. I learned a lot of things and made many friends. Many of the girls who I was with had worse issues or less issues than I did, but we all had something in common. Yes, hiking was a struggle and it was hard at times but the instructors knew how to make it fun. The food wasn't bad and we got our own personal food that we would carry in our backpack. We all learned many skills that still help me today. There were many struggles that I had but it all has helped me grow and become the person I am today. I enjoyed SUWS and miss all the people I became so close to there. Of course I wouldn't want to get sent back there but it wasn't that bad. We had fun and learned so much it really was life changing. To parents who are reading this, I highly recommend that you research a lot about sending your child away because it still effects me and haunts me today that i will get sent back. Make sure your child truely needs the camp because of its high cost and injury risk that can happen that will rack up hospital bills. My parents still say today that it is they best thing they have spent there money on yet, which is good. I also was at SUWS over my birthday which was sad, but I was able to have a little birthday party and my parents sent me a little gift which was really nice. I highly recommend this camp for any struggling teen who had failed to respond to at home punishments. Many of my fellow group members are at a theroputic boarding school which is probably the scariest part of SUWS because you don't know if you are going to get sent to one or not. I was not even though I heard some counselors reccommended it for everyone. SUWS helps a lot and sending your child away even more will just hurt your child. SUWS changed my life and my families because now I'm happy and they are happy too. You an email me at [email protected] if you have any questions, I will be happy to help you with;). I hope this helps!!!

SUWS is set in a gorgeous area of western NC. The staff are fun, honest and helpful. They're typically involved in their own outdoor activity pursuits which can make them really experienced in the woods. They're also trained in all sorts of therapeutic styles so they are able to relate to young clients. Wilderness therapy might not be the right fit for every family but it really makes a huge differences in families that truly commit to changing their patterns of behaviors.

I know that my parents were at their wits end with me, and that it is really financially difficult for them to send me to SUWS. I am so grateful that they did though! We are actually able to communicate without yelling all the time now. My instructors at SUWS were so great! They totally helped me see where I needed to make changes in my life.

My parents sent me here to change my attitude. I thought it was punishment the whole time, but slowly I began to realize why I was sent here. My instructors were genuine and helped me make changes in myself.

I never felt like I was left out. The staff did a great job at keeping me in the loop on a frequent basis. My daughter can now communicate with me much better and has improved in the classroom. An absolute change for the better!

My instructors were relatable, kind, great, intelligent leaders and really helped me grown and learn. I feel that I have grown more mature, stronger and more responsible. I stopped taking things for granted and that really can achieve greatness.

The communication skills that my son learned from SUWS and the way he was able to express and handle his emotions was very impressive

The instructors knew what we were capable of and let us settle. They cared and gave great advice. My therapist was extremely relatable, sweet and goofy. She was really able to see through my “BS”. She was real and definitely cares about her students. I have more respect for myself and more confidence. I have a new mindset and a new appreciation for the simple things in my life. I’m hopeful about tomorrow and my success.