Print PDF

Pathways

Pathways is the orientation portion of the program at the Academy at Swift River. It is designed specifically to ease the transition from a prior treatment episode or intervention (such as a wilderness therapy program, a residential treatment center, inpatient program and, less frequently directly from home) to the more complex environment of a therapeutic boarding school. Pathways is a time for students to get acquainted with each other, with the school community, and with the rhythm of daily life at ASR. We take this time to assess the needs and strengths of each student with the goal of being able to create an individualized plan at the initial working visit. The Pathways program takes place during the academic day (between the hours of 8am and 3pm). Students eat meals with the rest of the school, sleep in the dorms, and engage in therapeutic and athletic activities with the other students in the school. All students participate in this eight day orientation taking place over two school weeks before entering the classroom to begin academics.

During the orientation program, we cover the fundamental topics of:

• Community Living
  
• Who is Who and What is What at ASR
  
• Stages of Change
  
• Elements of Acceptance
  
• The flow of an Academic Day
  
• Assessing strengths/skills

These themes are explored through journaling, group discussion, experiential learning and games, activities, service learning, interviews or initiatives. We know that all of our students come here with some skills and learning that they have derived from previous programs. With this in mind, we work with the skills and growth they have already attained as well as give them the opportunity to discover ways to use those strengths here in this new environment. We also extend their learning into examinations of new possibilities and opportunities that help them find and develop successful roles here at ASR.

By the end of Pathways, we expect students to have an informed idea of what the curriculum at ASR will ask of them, and to be motivated to engage in it. We also want students to have established a role within the school and made sufficient social connections for a strong support network.