Successful Outcomes For A Brighter Future
Trails Carolina‘s wilderness therapy program has helped hundreds of families rebuild their relationships with their son or daughter. Many of our families and students are so pleased with their experience that they have chosen to share their stories with you, to help you understand what an Impact Trails has had on their lives.
Trails Carolina Research Initiative
Trails Carolina began a research initiative in 2015, partnering with the Center for Research, Assessment, and Treatment Efficacy and the Arkansas Institute of Developmental Science. The objective of this study was to research the therapeutic effectiveness of wilderness therapy. This project represents the first investigation of wilderness treatment outcomes, with a particular emphasis on family functioning and improvements.
Clinical Outcomes
- Depression
- ADHD
- Disruptive behavior
- Substance use
- Suicidality
- Academic struggles
- Aggressive behavior


“I’ve learned I care about my family. I also learned I should respect others and respect myself. I learned that that can change with a little bit of help.”
“I would say that Trails saved our daughter’s life. I saw changes in her at graduation that thrilled my heart.”
“I am full of admiration and gratitude for Trails and its staff.”
“I would highly recommend Trails to anyone who needs their services. It was an excellent program in every way.”
“I believe that Trails is a rite of passage. It’s stopping one stage in your life, and helps you to grow and prosper into a beautiful new grown up person.”
“Thank you! We are true believers in the power of the wilderness experience and can’t say enough about Trails!”
“Trails was the best thing I could have done, full of invaluable experiences. Thank you all! We will treasure our experience.”
“The process is about leaving as a new person who has found ways to stay away from problems. And by leaving here we will become a better and more mature human being.”
“Jake got so much from the program that he wants to move to North Carolina, study wilderness leadership and work on the staff at Trails.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. You took a boy who was a bundle of rage and guided him to see there were other ways to handle the world.”
“If your child is in need and you feel you don’t have the skills alone to help them, Trails can! And they will!!”
“We can’t thank everyone enough for the kindness, compassion and great skills each and every one of you gifted us with on this journey.”
“I can honestly say that we are a closer family because of what we learned at Trails. I loved it all!”
“Equine therapy was a powerful experience. My daughter said that it calmed her. The lovely base camp grounds with horses roaming around set a peaceful tone.”
“The therapists and guides were very well trained. I was pleasantly surprised at how compassionate the program and the field guides were. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“The overall change in my daughter was so impressive.”
“Thank you for all your efforts to make a difference in my daughter’s life going forward.”
“It impressed me how totally committed each and every therapist is to helping the families. Their compassion and understanding are remarkable.”
“I am in awe of the staff here at Trails Carolina. All the staff we met were congenial, cordial, knowledgeable, thoughtful and kind.
“Trails is a wilderness program of excellence, with individuals throughout the organization who will bend over backwards to help your teen understand the importance of trust, responsibility and accountability.”
I’m more accepting of the road ahead of me.
Audrey T., Student









