Summit Achievement incorporates mindfulness, as well as mindfulness meditation, in different segments of the program. Every day there are periods of time of silent reflection with the most notable being before each meal when the community stands in a circle in silence for a period of time. Spending Thursday through Sunday out in nature without […]
Summit Achievement has been a member of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council (OBH) since 2000 (to go to the OBH website, click here). We have participated in ongoing research to promote the field and prove the efficacy of our work. Below is a video recently published by OBH about this work. To see outcome research specific […]
For many years, Summit Achievement has been known by professionals as a great placement for clients who struggle with high-functioning autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Level 1. While individuals with this diagnosis are unique more than they are similar, some typical characteristics include: Impairment in social functioning Difficulty with reading and managing both verbal […]
I work for a program located in Maine, but I am not from New England. I’m a southerner, born and raised in North Carolina. In the summer of 2014, I packed up my things (and family) and moved from North Carolina to the White Mountains of New England for the very purpose of working for […]
I hope all is well. Today is a very special day for me. I’m not sure where I was five years ago right now. I’m also not sure where I was three years ago right now. I do know two things though, where I was four years ago, and where I am today. Four years […]
Now, after three months of being home, I want to write and tell everybody how I am doing. I talked to Nichol earlier today, and I decided to write all of this so I could send it to everyone at Summit. Actually I talked to Nichol yesterday because it is 1:00 AM. I was laying in bed […]
Most of us imagine wilderness therapy to be weeks in the woods. Often, if “academic courses” are offered, they are facilitated in an environment that is far from the formal school and classroom experience and often do not align with a student’s course and credit needs. Journaling around a campfire, exploring flora and fauna along […]
For over 26 years, Summit Achievement, a hybrid Adventure Therapy and residential treatment program located in Maine, has operated during the holidays. Those outside the field may think it is difficult to enroll or work at a treatment program during the holidays, but that is not the case, as we have honed our model through […]
Summit Achievement was an experience that was equal parts rewarding and challenging, and resulted in the most profound growth period of my life. When I arrived at Summit I was anxious and scared. Throughout my first few days at Summit, all I could think about was that I wanted to go home. I wanted to […]