We believe every young person deserves the opportunity to explore their identity in a positive and affirming environment. This comes from the OUT There Adventures’ website, a Seattle based non-profit organization working to change the lives of LGBTQ youth. It’s... 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

On day one, students, tense and apprehensive, load their belongings into my van at the airport, unsuspecting of the magnitude of the experience they are about to have. When we unload at the trailhead, they grip their trekking poles and... 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

“Bad” is a shaky platform to be placed on. It is not a useful piece of feedback, or a nugget of real-talk from a trusted adult. It is a stagnant, heavy label; a “you are” statement, leaving no nuance for... READ MORE

When I was 22, I was really confused. I’ve never been good at planning—mostly because I never knew what I should be planning for. During my freshman year of college, I was completely overwhelmed by how many people seemed like... READ MORE

The list of things students learn on Outward Bound expeditions is practically endless: cutting vegetables; washing dishes; keeping track of their belongings; sewing; map-reading; fire-building; setting up a tent; conflict resolution skills; goal setting; tree identification; leadership skills; basic first... READ MORE