Welcome to the adolescent brain. I’m your host, an Outward Bound Instructor. I specialize in working with students and their families on Intercept courses, and help students learn positive decision-making skills and practice building positive relationships. My goal is to... READ MORE

Natural consequences happen after you make choices. If you yell at your friend, she will be upset. After you walk barefoot in the road, your foot could get cut. If you don’t tie your canoe to the shore, you could... READ MORE

On an Intercept course, we ask our students to identify the difference between a consequence and a punishment. They identify that punishments are unfair and lead to more harm than good, and that consequences are inevitable, often put upon by their... READ MORE

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