The Leadership Adventure group has migrated east to the other side of the Rockies, and have spent the last few days getting to know the people of the Blackfeet Nation in order to find out how we can best serve their community.  This week our fundamental theme is “giving back”, and the rewards and lessons of helping others will be used as a touchstone for the individual growth of our students. 

The first reports from the field instructors are positive.  This trip is taking our students out of their comfort zones in new and unpredictable ways.  There is talk of a possible Sun Dance, and already a hint that we may be invited to return later in the summer for a big traditional celebration. 

The first ever Explorations Summer Leadership Adventure is living up to its name.  Last week seven of our boys spent five days on the Blackfoot River—made famous in the book and movie A River Runs Through It—and became certified as Swift Water Rescuers and Raft Guides. 

The training was provided by Montana River Guides, and the folks there had nothing but rave reports of the performance, maturity, and professionalism of the Explorations team.  We are so proud of our boys, who can now be employed as river guides!

Explorations has released a tentative schedule for the upcoming Summer 2011 season:

* Rolling Enrollment starts May 16th 2011
* Boys group 1 June 20th – August 10th
* Boys group 2 June 22 – August 12th
* Girls Group June 24th – August 14th
* Post Summer August 10 – September 5th

Explorations Cultural Immersion Course in Peru for College Credit

Penny James, Director and Co-Founder of Explorations, reports 4 students departed July 10, 2010 from Los Angeles as a part of Explorations Cultural Immersion Experience to Peru. The students and staff member, Elizabeth Chambers, MSW are traveling as a part of Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) Study Abroad program, located in Kalispell, MT. Mick Stemborski is the coordinator of the program at FVCC and is accompanying this year’s group. Mick has guided five prior Explorations expeditions abroad. Students will earn 6 college credits as a part of their participation in this offering in addition to travel that is based upon cultural immersion instead of tourism.

This year’s three-week itinerary includes community immersion and service in the village of Urabamba, just outside Cusco. Students will trek to Machu Picchu, explore Lake Titicaca, visit ancient Inca ruins and tour Lima, the country’s capital. Penny reports that prior to departure, students took part in a Digital Photography class on the FVCC campus and look forward to being able to utilize their newly acquired photography skills on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Explorations students’ travel is tracked via the use of a SPOT transceiver unit. Penny reports that the trip’s exact GPS coordinates are transmitted via satellite back to the States so parents can view actual satellite or map images of their student’s exact location daily. August 6th’s SPOT was received from: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=-13.53877,-71.94408&ll=-13.53877,-71.94408&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1 Explorations has operated cultural immersion trips for nearly 10 years and today’s enhanced technology not only provides an added safety measures but also increased interface with families.

Explorations is an imaginative outdoor, travel, and living experience that is a catalyst for changing the lives of teens experiencing trouble at home or in school. Our adventures are perfect for students who would benefit from a summer of conquered challenges yet do not need the intensity of a typical therapeutic wilderness experience.

Explorations Cultural Immersion Trips are offered annually and are perfect for a range of students, siblings and families. To learn more, please contact Explorations at 406-827-3863 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Penny James, Director and Co-Founder of Explorations announces several new and exciting additions to the Summer Adventure Program, which kicks off the week of June 21. While each adventure session offers the signature weeklong immersion parent trip and therapeutic adventure-based curriculum, Penny states the enhancements to Explorations 20th summer season provide an even more comprehensive option for families whose child who would benefit from a summer of challenges. Parent coaching, parent support conference calls, academic credit, and post-summer AfterCare options have been added to the summer curriculum.

All families participating in adventure sessions will receive regular parent coaching sessions, facilitated by Sarah Mack, Certified Parent Coach. Sarah Mack has worked in the adolescent treatment industry for over sixteen years. Sarah specializes in supporting families during their child’s treatment experience and helps families prepare for their child’s successful return home or to boarding schools. A comprehensive Parent Workbook, designed to enhance parenting skills and develop a deeper understanding of what will be necessary to create long term change for the family as a whole.

AfterCare options for all summer participants include continued parent coaching, individual counseling and therapy, in-home or Montana-based intensive family weekends and other custom-designed options. Academic credit in Lifetime Adventure Sports will be offered to all students participating in the summer adventure courses.

Please contact Penny James or Leona Gollen, Executive Assistant, with any questions about Explorations summer courses, customized family experiences or residential placement.

For 20 years, Explorations has provided imaginative outdoor adventure and residential living experiences that serve as catalyst for change in the lives of teens experiencing trouble at home or in school. An industry leader of small programs, Explorations provides a high level of therapy, individualized attention, and firm, yet nurturing support for each participant and their families.

“An Interview with Penny James, an Industry Leader”
By Judith E. Bessette EdD

At the conclusion of the successful 2009 NATSAP Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas, a conference honoring the tenth anniversary of the organization, I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes talking with Penny James, the conference chair. Penny is also one of the founders and the current Director of Explorations, a family-based program in Montana that has been in operation for twenty years. I was interested in learning about how she got started in this business, her observations about how her program—and the industry as a whole—has changed, and about her involvement in NATSAP.

Tell me how you got involved in this work… (read the rest of the story at The Woodbury Reports)