ANASAZI Foundation - Preparing parents and children to turn their hearts to one another, begin anew, and walk in harmony in the wilderness of the world.
ANASAZI Programs for Boys & Girls
Location: Arizona
Type: 42-day Inpatient (minimum stay)
Ages: 12-17 years old
Staff ratio: 1 to 3
Fees: $395 per day plus $750 admissions fee
Admissions: Every Friday, year-round, or as necessary by special appointment

The Program
The ANASAZI Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Program is designed for youth 12-17 years old who are struggling with substance abuse, emotional, or behavioral concerns. Participants (YoungWalkers) spend a minimum of 42 days in the wilderness of Arizona hiking and camping with little manufactured gear. They live a primitive lifestyle and learn the skills and technologies of the "ancient ones."

The wilderness gives YoungWalkers an opportunity to be in an environment free from clutter and distraction--to ponder their lives, take responsibility for past choices and prepare to begin anew. YoungWalkers learn to cook their own meals (food packs are replenished weekly) and build shelters to protect themselves from the elements. They may hike up to 10 miles in a day and seldom camp in the same place more than two nights.

Treatment Philosophy
ANASAZI is not a boot camp. There is no force, manipulation or confrontation. Caring staff walk the trail with the same food and gear as the YoungWalkers and patiently wait for opportunities to teach. When the time is right they will teach skills and the principles of unconditional love, agency, repentance, forgiveness, and restitution.

Each child is assigned a Shadow (counselor) who works closely with the parents and their child on the concerns that brought the YoungWalker to the trail. Shadows have at least a masters degree and are supervised by the program's psychologists and clinical director. Shadows meet weekly with the YoungWalkers on the trail and keep parents informed as to the progress the child is making.

Parent Involvement
Parent involvement is an essential element to the success of the program and sustaining changes made on the trail. Parents attend an orientation and a 12-hour Arbinger Seminar on Relationships shortly after admission. At the end of the program, parents have the opportunity to spend the last two nights and three days on the trail with their son or daughter. This is a time to build relationships of trust and make commitments to walk forward together.

Safety
The safety of each YoungWalker is of the highest priority at ANASAZI. Group sizes range between three and eight in size with at least one staff for every three YoungWalkers. Trail staff have radio contact with back-up personnel 24 hours per day. Young Walkers are evaluated weekly by a registered nurse for any health concerns.

Education
ANASAZI High School is a private program that blends outdoor educational instruction with a traditional curriculum for students worldwide. Currently serving students in ninth through twelfth grade participating in ANASAZI Foundation's outdoor programs and other students interested the unique outdoor curriculum to enhance their high school academic experience. ANASAZI High School has selected Blueprint Education as its curriculum provider.

ANASAZI High School covers the following disciplines:
  1. Physical Education –Backpacking (1.0 Credit)
  2. English –Writing and Communications (0.5 Credit)
  3. Art –Skills for Utility and Expression (0.5 Credit)
  4. Science –Biology, Earth Science, Environmental Science (0.5 Credit)
  5. Single Survival –Anthropology, Native American Culture, Interpersonal Relationships (0.5 Credit)
Each area is treated experientially and evaluated through verbal and written exercises. The experiential vehicle of living and walking on the land helps enhance the student’s ability to retain the information learned for use in subsequent academic settings.

Click here for complete admissions information
 
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