Hampden Academy is a therapeutic day treatment school for students who suffer from significant emotional and behavioral disorders. The students range in age from 12 to 18 and are diverse both culturally and economically. A significant number of students who attend Hampden Academy reside in foster homes due to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or neglect. Most students attending Hampden Academy were referred by their home school district, social services, or probation because their behaviors were making it difficult for them to function in a public environment. While at Hampden Academy, students participate in special education classes and receive individual, family, group and milieu therapy.

The Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, a non-profit organization in operation since 1976, provides outdoor adventure programs for students of all abilities. These programs are designed to pose appropriate challenges for students. The aspect of the BOEC experience that makes it most amenable to our students is that the program supplies all equipment (sleeping bags, tents, rain gear, etc.) and our students are only required to provide their personal clothing, a willingness to try new things, and a positive attitude.

We are looking forward to sending 14 kids and 5 adults to BOEC's Summer Wilderness Course. Hampden Academy has in the past held camping trips to involve students in experiential learning, including the very powerful experiences at BOEC. We have found that the natural setting (one that our students rarely, if ever, experience) reinforces coping skills rather than defenses and enables them to improve their communication, cooperation, and trust in themselves and one another. We believe that their adventure in the wilderness will be generalized to other situations in which they experience stress. BOEC presents an opportunity to expand the limited sessions we've held in the past to include more outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, rock climbing and canoeing.