A UNIQUE WILDERNESS PROGRAM IN THE HEARTLAND Located in northern Minnesota, Soltreks is a therapeutic wilderness program for adolescents, young adults and older adults seeking awareness and change in their life, their relationships, and their relationship to life. Founded in 1997 by Lorri Hanna and Doug Sabo, Soltreks integrates principles of wilderness therapy and a family systems perspective with grounding in evidence-based clinical practices that promote and honor personal growth, promote change, and restore healthy families. The strength-based approach teaches and models solution-focused skills and processes as students come to understand the power of their choices and the impact they have on their lives.

Soltreks was created for families whose children were missed in larger settings and needing a more individualized approach toward health and healing. Small groups and custom individual treks are offered as a way to provide intimate guided journeys into self discovery.

THERAPEUTIC AND EDUCATION PROCESSES The program is designed to assist students with a variety of challenges including depression/anxiety, learning differences, grief and loss, school issues, family conflict, adjustment and relationship issues. As a Rite of Passage, students move through a series of phases grounded in ritual and ceremony with intention to “catch” opportunities for “making meaning” from each experience. Students receive high school academic credit for successful completion of the personal growth curriculum where physical activity is balanced with emotional, cognitive and spiritual experiences. College credit is also available in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership.

Family participation including sibling work is integral to the Soltreks process. Parents often report “We feel like we went through our own Soltreks.” Parent Workshops, Mid-trek Parent Weekends and Sibling Workshops are provided during the Summer Adventure Program. By providing an opportunity for siblings to have a voice, they may share similar concerns as their parents, as well as issues of their own.

UNIQUE SERVICES Soltreks offers several programs:

• Summer Program: single gender groups, 6 students per group with the same start and end date
• Open Enrollment: seasonal rolling admissions for adolescents and young adults
• One-on-One trek: those needing more individual attention and without the distractions of a group
• Family Retreat and Trek: variable lengths, custom designed
• Women’s and Men’s Retreat and Trek: those seeking to rediscover their hopes, dreams and authentic selves
• Parent Weekend Retreat: parents whose child is enrolled in a treatment program
• Home Visit: an in-home visit to explore challenges, practice skills, support home agreements, and review family values

Average length of stay is 6-8 weeks however students may enroll from 2 weeks or longer based upon individual needs. Custom treks are variable length.

STAFF and PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Masters level therapists
• Field guides with experience in therapeutic and/or outdoor leadership programs and medical training in Wilderness First Responder
• Medical Advisor and consulting Clinical Psychologist who provide program support
• Executive Director is a Board member and Vice-Chair of the National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camping (NATWC)
• Soltreks is a member of the Association of Experiential Education, NATWC, The National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (Affiliate) and Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Industry Council participating in outcome studies/research and partners with Blueprint Education for academic credits.

Soltreks prides itself on “doing the right thing,” nurturing relationships with integrity and heart, and helping individuals restore and repair relationships as they move from a place of powerlessness to a place of personal power, responsibility, and self-love.

Soltreks is truly a trek for the soul.