The 4-day Student Leadership retreat is designed around four basic themes.  Each theme is constructed to change the conversation surrounding ADHD, from a problem-focused conversation to a solution-focused conversation, and to promote student’s recognition of their unlimited potential in life. A portion of every day will be devoted to each thematic element: 
 

• Survival: You will learn fundamental wilderness survival skills including tracking, shelter and fire building, and navigational skills.  These will be taught through a full immersion approach in the wilderness. You will learn to command control over your life. The confidence that grows from the realization that one can physically survive in the wilderness bolsters complete confidence in the success of future endeavors.
• Leadership: Discover your individual leadership style, how to effectively present it, and how to advocate for yourself at school, at home and with your friends. Learn how to take your rightful place as a leader. You know who you are, now learn the skills to let others know too.
• Launch:  Identify the challenges ADHD presents in one’s life, learn to both own and take responsibility for them, and equip yourself with the skills necessary to realize your full potential once you have left home.
• Entrepreneurialism: Learn management, motivation, team building, risk assessment, self-reliance and leadership skills all integral to the entrepreneurial process.

Each day is constructed around a set number of Objectives. Rigorous wilderness activities will be conducted by trained professionals in a stimulating, evenly-paced environment.  Appropriate down-time will be built into each activity to encourage individuals to reflect and to afford the group time to collaborate as a cohesive unit. 

The survival component of the program includes shelter building, campfire construction, tracking and navigational techniques, taught by instructors who have worked with Navy Seals on escape and evasion tactics. This is not your typical climbing wall and ropes course program. Though the program takes place in a wilderness setting all basic amenities will be provided by the staff, including meals. Food will be prepared and brought to the students in their wilderness shelters; discussion topics are introduced below. 

On DAY 1, students will be separated from their parents after a brief program introduction.  Parents who choose to participate will be directed to the convention center, while their children begin their adventure by entering “into the wilderness.” Parents will attend a series of seminars designed to expose them to the program’s fundamental philosophy, and to prepare them for an improved family dynamic upon the retreat’s completion. They will also participate in group activities; these include open discussion, the writing of a Vision Statement (to be shared with their children upon program completion) and an interactive introduction to the survival skills that their children will learn over the next three days.   

On DAY 4, parents will be reunited with their children, and will participate in the closing ceremony as well as final group activities.   

Parents are urged to participate in sessions, though attendance is not mandatory.  Only parents or legal guardians are permitted to attend on the child’s behalf. 
 

DAY 1—PARENTS 

Program Introduction 

Development of a Vision Statement with a focus on Leadership Context 

Bow Drill and Fire Making activity 

DINNER 

Tracking Exercise

Construction of Fire Structure  

Lighting of Fire/Discussion 
 

DAY 1—STUDENTS 

“Into the Wilderness” 

200pm-1030pm 

Exploration of the Grounds 

Welcome/Program Introduction 

Break  

Leadership discussion 

DINNER 

 “Four Leadership Attitudes” / Student Discussion 

Small Group Vision Statements and Team Presentation 

Wrap up and Bed Instructions  
 

DAY 2 

700AM-1030PM 

“In the Wilderness” 

Meditation 

BREAKFAST 

“Four Attitudes” and Personality Assessment 

Shelter Building  

DINNER 

Sexuality Discussion (Students divided by Gender) 

Becoming a Scout—Blind fold navigational skills as employed by Navy Seal basic training 

Wrap Up 
 

DAY 3 

“In the Wilderness Others” 

700AM-1000PM 

Meditation 

BREAKFAST 

Team Building Exercise 

Introduction to 3 survival concepts and implementation  

LUNCH 

Family Dynamics Discussion  

Discussion of the 5 basic conflict styles 

Drugs and Alternatives Discussion (Students separated by gender) 

DINNER 

Discussion on the service of Leadership with emphasis on community building and involvement 

DAY 4 

700AM-1230PM 

Vision Quest Talk/Completion of Journal 

Seminar with Parents/Preparation to Reunite with Students 

BREAKFAST (Served by Students) 

Group Activity and Final Visit to Shelters 

Acknowledgement Activity and Presentation of Gifts