Eagle Trek

Wilderness therapy Program
By Chris Johanssen, Program Therapist—LMHC

For one week a year, I move my counseling practice to the Oatis Camp in Debarats, Ontario. Canoes, hiking paths, the front porch, or one of the small islands used for quiet time each morning then become my office. For the past 16 years, Eagle Trek has been a therapeutic staple at Christian Haven. Each summer, a group of residents travels to the North Channel of Lake Huron for an experience that most consider the highlight of their stay with us.

Far removed from their familiar environments and without the distractions of TVs, radios, or electronic games, our residents are challenged to discover a new world. Some obvious challenges include maneuvering a canoe without tipping over, jumping off a 25-foot cliff, or jumping in the water each morning to be eligible for the Polar Bear Club.

Other challenges become rich therapeutic opportunities. Solitude during quiet time in the morning or the sounds and sights of nature often means overcoming deep-seated fears in many of our kids. Sometimes the serene setting and casual atmosphere makes residents more comfortable to bring up questions, worries, and past experiences that they may never address in the confines of an office.

Through activities shared by the residents and staff, be it fishing, boating, hiking, playing cards, or doing chores our boys develop bonds with positive adults. Eagle Trek gives these young people countless opportunities to learn and master new skills, which often translates into improved self-esteem and a sense of competency. In this setting, residents also seem to be willing to share their skills - old or new - more generously with each other to help them succeed. Above all, however, many of our kids experience joy for the first time in a long time, perhaps for the first time ever.