MWA offers only one program, refined over 27 summers working with hurting teens. Our all-summer (ten-week) experience for young people can be a part of a longer stay within New Horizons, but it is also a complete experience in and of itself.

We want each student to grow and develop physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually during their summer with us. Rather than focusing on one type of activity, we offer a broad range of experiences in the context of the cabin group. The group challenges and supports each individual student to make their best contribution in every area. Individual activities provide variety and a chance to evaluate oneself outside the group for comparison.

Building Endurance:

A weak body contributes to poor self-image, low motivation, and reduced alertness. Daily conditioning, work projects, a low ropes course and climbing wall, and a high level of activity build strength, endurance and confidence in our students.

Students test themselves individually and in groups in competitive games throughout the summer, including cross-country running races, games of skill, group initiative exercises, a lumberjack competition, canoeing races, and endurance swimming.

Students continually see themselves getting stronger and more capable, breeding confidence in themselves.

Building Confidence:

We make full use of our remote wilderness setting by providing opportunities to enjoy God's creation first-hand. Each team takes a one-week canoe trip and a one-week backpacking trip into the wilderness around the camp. Experienced guides teach them the skills for the trip and ensure safety. The team works together in every aspect of the trip.

We also teach our students wilderness survival skills, which they demonstrate in supervised 24- and 48-hour solo experiences in the woods.

Our setting allows them to step back from the pressures and stress of modern life and take time to evaluate their values and beliefs and the consequences of their way of doing things. We equip young people claim their own beliefs and stand up for them when others push them toward compromise.

Building Skills:

Our students gain a host of new skills and knowledge during the summer. Backpacking and canoe tripping skills, wilderness emergency skills, and basic construction skills are all learned by experience. Students realize they can learn to succeed in new situations. They gain a context for their stay by studying introductory Canadian history and geography.

Building Perspective:

Individual counseling helps each student to sort through his or her needs, desires, strengths, weaknesses, and perceptions. Aided by the introspection encouraged in daily journals, group discussions, and the solo experiences, counselors help students gain a new perspective on themselves, those around them, and their families. They also teach them how to set and reach goals for self-improvement.

Our students gain the skills to evaluate their problems and plan ways to work toward resolution.

Building Relationships:

Virtually everything students do at MWA is done as part of their group. They eat, sleep, work, exercise, learn, relax, and compete alongside the members of their team. Formal group work is done in group discussions, group counseling, group initiative tasks, and group planning sessions. Students are encouraged to take leadership and support and encourage their peers.

Our compassionate staff provide structure and order, build redemptive relationships, and model lives of godly character for our students.

This living lab allows our students to learn and practice new ways of relating to others that can help them succeed at home and at school.

Building Character:

Underlying all of our activity and therapy is our conviction that true inner change can only come from a commitment to living life for Christ. Daily devotional times and twice-weekly chapels combine to plant God's word in the minds of our students. Informal opportunities to share are frequent, and metaphors abound in our setting.

Teens naturally evaluate the differences between what we say and what we do. The best antidote to their skepticism about the truth is for them to watch committed young men and women from many different backgrounds live out their faith in the grind of daily life. At the end of the summer we have a spiritual emphasis week, where a dynamic guest speaker presents the costs and rewards of following Christ fully, and invites our students to respond.

Armed with the character growth from the summer's experiences, and the power of a new or renewed faith in Jesus, our students can leave with a bright new hope for success in their lives.

Services:

• Individual and group counseling for each student. (May be billable to your medical insurance)
• Students can earn up to two high school elective credits.
• Regular progress reports to parents keep you informed about all aspects of your child's summer.
• New Horizons offers educational opportunities and support for our parents to help them succeed with their challenging teen.