Pure Life Adventure offering adolescent programming with an additional benefit—high school students can earn up to 2 full credits during their stay—just for participating in the program.
Many adolescents are struggling and suffering from a mental health crisis brought on by the pressures of social media, academics, and the difficulty of recovering from the impact and isolation that pandemic-era remote learning and social restrictions placed on their lives. We’re hearing from families that their students are pushing back against school attendance and in some cases refusing to attend at all.
Pure Life’s program engages adolescents in a non-traditional gap semester that focuses on leadership and personal development, alongside the therapeutic work that is so critical for these adolescent students.
In this program, students participate in outdoor adventures that test their emotional resiliency and build their confidence as they try (and succeed!) at learning new things as they are immersed in a new cultural environment. Those who decide to attend Pure Life’s adventure therapy program can expect a busy and engaging 80-90 day stay in Costa Rica where they will learn to surf, whitewater raft, backpack, experience cultural homestays, participate in local service projects, and equine therapy. Each session will also involve parents with weekly calls, check-ins with field therapists as well as an in-person parent visit to Costa Rica.
“This has been an enticing program for high school-aged students and their families,” says Andrew Taylor. “A therapeutic gap semester like this offers adolescents the opportunity to experience a novel environment and to get benefits like improved academic performance, social development, emotional self-awareness, life skills, and goal refinement.”
Pure Life Adventure uses researched-based techniques with integrated therapeutic models throughout its adventure therapy program. Based in Costa Rica, Pure Life’s adventure therapy program works with struggling adolescents and young adults to build self-efficacy, teach healthy coping strategies, behavioral and emotional regulation, leadership skills, and life skills that will allow participants to become independent, productive, and successful adults. For more information about Pure Life’s adventure therapy model and admission process, please visit http://www.purelifeadventure.com
