Partnering with nature to help youth heal and thrive

Wild Youth Passages (WYP) is a year-long, nature-based, experiential therapy program for youth aged 13 to 18 who struggle with moderate to severe mental health challenges in Summit County, Colorado. Grounded in the theory that exposure to nature is beneficial for mental health, the weekly group therapy program engages teens in therapeutic outdoor activities, clinical therapy practices and a nature retreat every three months.

Staffed by a team of mental health therapists and clinical interns, WYP weekly programs help teens access nearby nature, hiking trails, nature sit spots, lakes and horticultural therapy gardens. Nature retreats encourage the teens to wander deeper into wilderness areas as they embark on journeys to winter huts, explore rock climbing crags, spend a day alone in the forest or backpack on multi-day trips. One of the primary goals of the program is to help teens heal and build resilience through the development of a reciprocal relationship with the more-than-human world.

Alumni of Wild Youth Passages reflect on the importance of the program and its impact on their lives below. 

Finding my place in nature and within myself

By Estrella

During my time with Wild Youth Passages, I have grown very far as a person. The program has connected me to nature and made it a fundamental part of my mental health journey. In the wilderness, I’m able to look at things from a different perspective. I have developed the ability to step away from stressful situations and make space in order to manage difficult life dynamics and decisions. Being outside also helps naturally lower my stress and anxiety. It is a safe place for me to express myself, and my time outside has helped me gain a better understanding of how my anxiety works.

Being in the wilderness has also allowed me to play. On my first hut trip, we spent time forest bathing. I found this to be so fun and spent all my time playing in the snow. It’s amazing to get to step away from the seriousness of life and enjoy the world around us. Another trip that I would like to highlight was our last hut trip. The trail to get to our cabin was difficult and required a lot from us individually and as a group. However, being able to overcome this left us all with a great sense of accomplishment. This feeling of being able to accomplish something in the wilderness has built my confidence. As a result, I am more confident in my ability to deal with difficult challenges, both physically and emotionally.

Through Wild Youth Passages’ programs, I’ve built a sense of belonging in nature. It allows me to be grateful for the little things, like a new flower or the way the sun hits the tree leaves. I’ve also created a sense of love for the outdoors. This type of love is strong because we are constantly surrounded by nature. It’s a community I’ll always feel welcomed in and an outlet I’ll use for the rest of my life. The Wild Youth Passages program gave me a way to find my place in nature and within myself.

Slowing down with nature 

By Alex

Wild Youth Passages entered my life when I really needed it and it changed my life for the better. The connections I made, the skills I learned and the relationships I built with myself all contributed to one of the greatest periods of growth in my life. I believe nature was the component of Wild Youth Passages that made it possible for the program to have such a significant impact on my life.

One thing I didn’t expect from my WYP group experience was the way my relationship with myself evolved alongside my relationship with nature. During my various experiences in nature, I noticed the direct impacts being outdoors had on me. I was more grounded, calmer and could think more clearly. Nature taught me to slow down – which made it easier to reflect and listen to myself. In many ways, the slower pace and lowered expectations of the woods became my safe space. Plus, nature was always accessible to me as a coping mechanism I could rely on.

Along with being a safe space, nature was also a teacher. The pace and structure of the natural world greatly differ from the human world we’ve built. In nature, everything moves slower. There is less urgency and worry. There are also no judgments. The way leaves fall from the trees or creeks wind down a mountain are imperfect, and that’s what makes them stunning. Seeing all this, I was able to embrace the ways of nature. I then thought of ways to incorporate them into my daily life. The focus on nature in Wild Youth Passages made it one of the most impactful experiences I’ve had.

Fresh air, sunshine and self-discovery

By Molly

As a result of Wild Youth Passages’ weekly meetings, I was forced out of my room and into the outdoors. This exposure to nature alleviated some of the weight of my depression by allowing me to ground my thoughts and connect with the present moment. Whether it was the feeling of the cold air against my cheeks during a winter walk, or the warmth of the sun while sitting in the grass, I found a sense of calmness and happiness that was unique. Being in nature allowed me to see and connect with the beauty of the world around me, which was significant in shifting my focus away from my depression and regaining a sense of purpose. 

Being in nature also provided me with room for self-discovery. Nature can force you to slow down and be with yourself, something that gets lost in our everyday lives. When you step away from life’s chaos and distractions, and step into nature, you can learn a lot about what’s going on in your mind and body. Those moments of stillness in nature can allow you to listen to what your body and mind are telling you, giving you insight into yourself that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to access.

Outdoor experiences also help my physical well-being. Fresh air and sunshine boost my mood, while also helping me get exercise. After being in nature, I found myself more open to trying new activities, such as hiking and journaling, which I still enjoy today. Thanks to the Wild Youth Passages’ nature-based program, I gained skills and ideas I can carry throughout my life. I am grateful for the easy access I have to nature.

The impacts of nature-based therapy 

By Sammy

Wild Youth Passages’ nature-based therapy group has given me a space to explore myself and get external insight from peers and a therapist. It has helped me work through discomfort and fear, and imbued within me an intimacy with nature.

Time in nature allowed our group to express ourselves in a natural and authentic way, helping us to face life’s absurdities openly and pragmatically. Our many hut trips, camping trips, hikes and other adventures gave us new perspectives. For example, rock climbing allowed us to focus on trust between the climber and the belayer, or helped us face a fear of heights. 

One of the biggest challenges in the program was solo trips, in which we sat alone for multiple hours outside. The dearth of stimulus was challenging to overcome, as well as learning to spend time with yourself. However, the solo process gave me time to articulate my thoughts and challenge my beliefs, helping me address feelings that had been suppressed. Spending this time figuring out why I acted and felt the way I did made me feel like a better-rounded individual. Solos showed me how myopic I was about myself, and I came out of the process stronger and more enlightened.

Wild Youth Programs’ dedication to nature helped us console primordial instincts and foster a more balanced lifestyle. Being able to experience the outdoors in different ways has inspired me to be active and instilled in me a solemn respect for the environment. Through intimate talks, solos, fear-inducing activities and supportive and challenging spaces, Wild Youth Passages has helped me form deeper connections within my relationships, with myself and with nature, shaping me into a well-rounded individual.

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