For Students
What to Expect at Summit
Coming to Summit takes courage, and we see that. Here’s an honest look at what your time here will be like, straight from the people who will walk with you through it.
Dear Future Student,
We know that coming to Summit wasn’t an easy decision for you or for your parents. Leaving behind your family, school, and home to head somewhere unfamiliar takes courage. Our hope is that our team will help you and your family feel as comfortable as possible throughout your time here.
Summit is different from other programs. We have a campus with real bedrooms and showers. We have a chef who serves amazing food. You’ll talk or video conference with your parents each week and have a visit halfway through. You’ll continue working on academics during your stay. This is a community, like a small boarding school, where we eat together in a dining area and head out on expeditions three nights a week.
There will probably be a bump or two in the road from here, and at times it won’t be easy. But we’re here to walk with you. We’re excited for you to see and experience all the White Mountains have to offer, and we look forward to meeting you.
Nichol Ernst + Anson McNulty
Owners, Summit Achievement
What do I wear?
Venture: In the Venture phase, you will spend three nights and part of four days in the woods each week. The clothing for these expeditions will be given to you to keep upon enrollment.
Traverse: In the Traverse phase, you can wear your own clothing every day.
Before you enroll, your family will receive a detailed packing list to help you prepare.
What will I eat?
We have a fantastic chef named Kate who prepares healthy meals sourced from local ingredients. We can accommodate your dietary needs, so if you’re vegetarian or have any other restrictions, Kate will make sure you’re well taken care of! When you’re out on expedition, you’ll cook with your group and your guides, creating camp-style meals over a stove with your teammates.
Traverse:
When in the Traverse phase of the program, you will be given a budget to buy food at the grocery store for the weekend and will have the opportunity to cook your own meals in Summit’s kitchen. You will also be given money to go out to eat at a restaurant at least once a week.
Do I have to sleep outside every night?
In Venture, you will sleep outside three nights per week in a heated shelter or in a warm sleeping bag under a tarpaulin shelter. No matter the time of year, you’ll be safe and warm. We have the highest-rated gear, and our guides will teach you how to stay comfortable. While you’re on campus, you and your group will live in a cabin where you’ll sleep in a bed, and the cabins have bathrooms and showers.
Traverse:
In Traverse, you will sleep in the cabin every night, with the occasional overnight camping trip on the weekend.
How long will I be at Summit?
In Traverse, we ask for a two-month minimum, but time in Traverse ranges from 2 to 6 months depending on treatment and academic goals.
What is an allied-based approach?
Our relational model uses what we refer to as an “allied-based approach” in which therapists, teachers, field guides, and staff work alongside students to work on treatment goals. We work diligently to connect with our students, to listen and learn about their lives and challenges. Our approach comes from a place of care, not control.
Can I communicate with my family and friends?
You’ll video chat or talk with your family every week. Approximately halfway through Venture, most students have an overnight, off-campus family visit. Your family members will also be able to email you as much as they’re able, and your friends can write you letters.
Traverse:
You will have a video conference with your family each week. You will also have the ability to make phone calls to a list of people approved by your family. Once you reach the Maintenance stage of Traverse, you will have the ability to email and call friends, and you can have up to week-long home visits.
What happens after I graduate from Summit?
When you’re preparing to graduate from Summit, you’ll spend time with your therapist, your teachers, and your family deciding where you’ll go next. The majority of our students return to a traditional environment, whether that’s home or a traditional boarding school.
How do I continue to do my schoolwork?
At Summit Achievement, we have a small team of teachers who work with each student to make sure they can continue with their schoolwork. You’ll have a unique curriculum based on your academic needs and interests, and you’ll have the opportunity to earn credits as you complete coursework. Even though you’ll be working individually on your web-based curriculum, our teachers will be in the classroom with you for guidance and assistance when you need it.
In Venture, you will have school three days per week. In Traverse, you will attend school five days per week.