I promised to blog about the man that I talked to at the school counselor’s conference.

His name is Steve Sawyer and he works at Alternatives in Psychological Counseling, as well as running Eagle’s Vision Wilderness Program.



I was very impressed with him, and his programs. He gets our kids. He has worked with them at some tough “schools for boys.”

The wilderness program is for kids age 12 – 18. It is a 4 day intensive program, and they do have a 7 day program as well. The best part is the price is AFFORDABLE, about $100 a day. I know parents that easily pay $100 a day for respite, and this provides therapy as well. Kids receive 2 individual therapy sessions and 6 group therapy sessions in 4 days.

They focus on anger management, team work, survival skills, alcohol and other drug assessment if necessary, as well as wilderness and nature skills.

The programs are single sex, so you do not have to worry about “purpling”. (I learned this term from Julie’s daughter. Girls are pink and boys are blue. No “purpling” allowed.) Steve did say that the girls programs are a bit more sporadic. They do not go if there is not a full group, and the girls groups do not fill up as quickly as the boys groups.

The camps are conducted in north central Wisconsin. If you’ve ever been to north central Wisconsin, you know that there is not much there, and it can be VERY primitive. They leave from Milwaukee and pick up kids in other cities along the way. You are responsible for getting your child to Milwaukee if you’re from out of town, or not along the travel route.

The rules for the camp are pretty clear, and rules that parents impose anyway.

1. I will follow all instructions given by staff and volunteers.

2. I will honor other participants’ space, both emotionally and physically. I will not provoke other clients and will support them when they are struggling.

3. I will not engage in any form of physical altercation.

4. I will not possess any form of contraband. Contraband includes drugs, alcohol, knives or and other weapons. They will be confiscated, and the police may be contacted!

5. I will practice honesty throughout the program. I will not steal.

6. I will participate in all groups and individual sessions.

7. I will inform staff immediately if I witness any of the above violations.

Steve presented a session at the conference that I call “Trauma 101”. It helped to educate the educators on some of the things our kids have suffered, and how they respond to them. I was very impressed with his knowledge, and how approachable he is. He is also trained in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) which is incredibly helpful with trauma victims.

I encourage you to check out the website. Whenever I meet someone who understands our kids, I want to pass along the information.