Adventure Therapy Groups
Adventure Works offers a unique opportunity to youth in DeKalb County to engage in group services to meet the social-emotional and behavioral needs in the outdoors. Groups are facilitated by mental health staff with specific training in facilitating outdoor experiences, and offer the opportunity for individuals to receive support and feedback from their peers.
Costs per participant are based on a sliding scale. All youth in DeKalb County are welcome, regardless of ability to pay.
Limited availability, click below or give us a call to start the registration process!
Winter 2023 Groups
Elementary Fast & Flurries
Adventure Works has designed an additional Elementary-Aged group program for this Winter!
Ages: 6 - 8
Dates: Thursdays | March 2nd - March 23 (4 weeks)
Time: 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Location: Adventure Works grounds (Prairie / Hopkins Park / Little John Park) and off-site nature preserves
Our elementary groups focus on connection, fun, exploration, and adventure. We utilize developmentally matched experiential activities to promote problem-solving, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and self-regulation. We practice the principle of challenge by choice and work to help each participant increase their self-efficacy and self-esteem by focusing on strengths, and framing challenges as opportunities for growth. Some activities include nature hikes, outdoor skills, team building initiatives, and utilizing our challenge course.
Spring 2023 Groups
*All Spring groups (except for Caregivers) are currently full. Please call (815) 517-0825 to be added to the waitlist.*
Beginner Explorers
Ages: 6 - 8
Dates: Two sections: Mondays, March 27th - May 1st (6 weeks)/ Thursdays March, 30th - May 4th (6 weeks)
Time: Mondays 4:00 - 5:30pm; Thursdays 5:00 - 6:30pm
Location: AW grounds (Prairie/Hopkins Park/Little John park) and offsite nearby nature preserves via van
Capacity: 10 participants
Our elementary groups focus on connection, fun, exploration, and adventure. We utilize developmentally matched experiential activities to promote problem-solving, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and self-regulation. We practice the principle of challenge by choice and work to help each participant increase their self-efficacy and self-esteem by focusing on strengths, and framing challenges as opportunities for growth. Some activities include nature hikes, outdoor skills, team building initiatives, and utilizing our challenge course.
Caregiver Group
Ages: For parents or caregivers of youth participating in AW services.
Dates: Mondays, April 3rd - May 1st (5 weeks)
Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm
Location: AW grounds (Prairie/Hopkins Park/Little John park) and offsite nearby nature preserves via van
Capacity: 10 participants
Adventure Works is offering a 5 week group for caregivers of youth currently participating in services. This experiential group will include didactic learning presentations, demonstrations by Adventure Works clinicians, and an invitation for group members to participate in and learn immersive somatic exercises and skills to support parents manage big feelings of the children they care for. These skills are important for those parenting children with managing emotions, impulsivity, inattention, and oppositional behavior.
Adventure Works is offering this 5-week group experience for parents of children attending Adventure Works’ currently participating in services at Adventure Works. Parent groups will be held at the same time the Elementary Explorer group is held on Mondays from 4:00pm to 5:30pm beginning March 27th through May 5th.
Emerging Explorers
Ages: 9-11 years
Dates: Mondays, March 27th - May 1st (6 weeks)
Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm
Location: AW grounds (Prairie/Hopkins Park/Little John park) and offsite nearby nature preserves via van
Capacity: 10 participants
Our elementary groups focus on connection, fun, adventure, and developing self-awareness. We utilize developmentally matched experiential activities to promote problem-solving, impulse control, social skills, emotional awareness, and self-regulation. We practice the principle of challenge by choice and work to help each participant increase their self-efficacy and self-esteem by focusing on strengths, and framing challenges as opportunities for growth. Some activities include nature hikes, interpersonal skill building interventions, environmental stewardship initiatives, creative self-expressive interventions, and utilizing our challenge course.
Tween Trailblazers
Ages: 6th-8th grade
Dates: Tuesdays, March 28th - May 2nd (6 weeks)
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Location: Adventure Works, potential for off-site intensives
Capacity: 10 participants
Our Tween group will focus on building self-confidence and resilience through the intentional use of experiential activities. The group will focus on collaboration, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and establishing and maintaining healthy peer relationships, as well as the importance of healthy boundaries. We will stay warm by building fires and build confidence by recognizing the fire within ourselves and each other. Other initiatives include team building exercises, archery, nature walks and mindfulness activities.
We will explore the new growths and buds of the environment while gaining insight into how we ourselves have grown and what new experiences lay on the horizon.
Trailblazers
Ages: 13-18
Dates: Tuesdays, March 28th - May 2nd (6 weeks)
Time: 4:00 - 5:30pm
Location: AW grounds (Prairie/Hopkins Park/Little John park)
Capacity: 10 participants
This group will focus on building strong therapeutic and social interactions in an active, experiential, and outdoor environment. Group facilitators focus on challenging, and caring for, participants through a “challenge-by-choice” model while focusing on specifically-designed, and developmentally-appropriate, interventions. Topics such as self-efficacy, distress tolerance, communication and coping skills will be explored, while increasing resilience and grit. Group activities will include nature walks, team building initiatives, outdoor survival skills, and creative art projects. Mindfulness activities will also be emphasized throughout the program.
Interested in Group?
Please submit your details below to express interest. A staff member will contact you as soon as possible via email.
