No, it is not. We simply believe that nature is a wonderful,
enticing setting for reaching kids in trouble. We strive to nurture, restore,
and grow healthy, happy girls. Respectful, kind relationships are a cornerstone
of our program.
How long do campers stay in the program?
The average stay is 14-20 months and is by no means
arbitrary. Typically, troubles do not develop overnight, nor are they solved in
short order. We have found over the years that relearning takes time and is
well worth doing right.
When do girls see their families?
Home visits are regularly scheduled every six weeks in order
to practice new skills in family relationships. Family evaluation meetings
occur every 3 to 4 months when parents meet with their camper and the staff to
evaluate progress. Twice a year families visit for a camp-wide Families Day.
Where are you located?
Camp is located on eighty-five acres of rolling woodlands in
western South Carolina. We are nearly halfway between Charlotte, NC and
Atlanta, GA. in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
What are the camp’s facilities like?
Our rustic dining hall and office are centrally located and
in easy hiking distance of our shower house, warehouse, and group campsites.
The campsites consist of room-sized tents with wooden or brick floors designed
and built by the group. Woodstoves supply heat in the winter.
What are the criteria for enrollment?
We accept girls between the ages of 8 to 16 who are able to
handle an active lifestyle. The girl must be intellectually capable of learning
in a small group. A number of campers come with diagnoses of ODD, RAD, PTSD,
OCD, and ADHD, as well as a variety of Special Ed. identifications, including
Academically Gifted. Many other girls have no label at all but are in need of
help. We often enroll girls who have not been successful in other programs.
Who are you affiliated with?
Wilderness Way Camp School, Inc. (our official name) was established in 1990 as a private Christian nonprofit therapeutic camping program. We are licensed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services as a child caring
agency. We are a member of the South Carolina Association of Children’s Homes
and Family Services.
Our camp is a charter member of Wilderness Road Therapeutic
Camping Association, Inc., organized in 1993 to preserve and promote the core
principles of the original model of therapeutic camping as developed by
Campbell Loughmiller and Buford McKenzie. Information about this association
and other member programs may be found at www.therapeuticcamping.org.
