Young people today face a wide array of increased behavioral health risks that include mental illness, substance abuse, trauma, suicide, and more. Researchers who are interested in preventing the development of these conditions in teens are focused on preventing exposure to risk factors and increasing skills that lead to psychological resilience and psychological wellness  (Masten, 2021; Rutter, 2023). They have found that adventure-based prevention programs can enhance resilience by promoting developmental assets that include social support, engagement, connection, reflection, coping skills acquisition, guidance through challenging tasks, and mastery (Cavanaugh, 2020).

Adventure-based prevention programs have used backpacking, group challenge, canoeing, sailing, climbing, and other adventure group activities to improve resilience, increase well-being, and decrease symptoms of mental illnesses and suicidality in young people (Beightol et al., 2012; Blum et al., 2024; Cavanaugh et al., 2024; Ritchie et al., 2014). At Wild Hearts, we use an approach based on the best-known research on using therapeutic adventure practices to promote psychological well-being, increase resilience, and enhance the developmental assets of those we serve. Additionally, our program administrators have published recent research and consulted with field leaders on how we can continuously improve the outcomes of the youth we serve.