A few weeks ago, I was standing in a circle with five dirt-covered adolescents just outside Marble, Colorado. With Aspen leaves still dripping from the early morning’s downpour, I told the students that the 15-day mountaineering course they had just... READ MORE

When we’re in the wilderness, we’re in session 24 hours a day. As Instructors, we strive to find the balance of when our students are ready to learn, when they’re ready for a challenge and when they need a break.... READ MORE

A stranger cuts you off in traffic and drives slowly in front of you. You slam on your brakes and honk your horn. You say out loud to yourself, “Wow, now you’re one car-length ahead of where you would have... READ MORE

At the beginning of every course, students are shown how to serve one another. Dinner isn’t cooked for them; they must cook it themselves. They can’t drive to their campsite, they have to walk or paddle—summiting mountains or portaging lakes.... READ MORE

If you’re considering Intercept for your family, you may be wondering how you can get your child’s support for going on a course. We asked an Intercept Instructor to provide a few tips and things to think about when talking... READ MORE

Intercept courses teach students the connection between handling responsibilities and earning privileges. Parents and guardians learn parallel with them—at home—that the importance of structure comes from themselves and their ability to practice compromise and consistency. The bottom line is, if... READ MORE

The foundation of communicating with struggling teens is the same as you would use with anyone who is struggling: listen, affirm, speak assertively, set clear boundaries, respond honestly and provide support. As with all people, effective communication depends on the... READ MORE

A large part of working with teenagers in the wilderness is reminding yourself over and over again that while they may be able to think and talk like adults at times, their emotions are constantly running on overdrive. The frontal... READ MORE

At some point, you’ve probably heard your own parents complain about the “kids these days!” There’s even a scientific name for the fear of a younger generation’s moral degradation: juvenoia. While these generational clashes have existed for centuries, risky behavior... READ MORE

Distance “The distance was good for us. I wish more families could experience distance like this. It is different than him being at school, or gone for a weekend. It is different because he is not a phone call away,... READ MORE