Wilderness Treatment Center is a 60 day inpatient chemical dependency treatment facility for adolescents / young men between the ages of 14 and 24. It combines a conventional 30 day inpatient stay with a 16-21 day wilderness expedition. As always, each of the expeditions is staffed by one of the counselors and a wilderness instructor for the duration of the trip. The two components and length of stay allow Wilderness Treatment Center graduates to be farther in the recovery process than those leaving a 28 day program. Since its inception in 1983, Wilderness Treatment Center has successfully treated young men from the world over. The Treatment Center's primary goal is to introduce the adolescents to a way of life free from drugs and alcohol with an increased self-esteem and a feeling of empowerment. Rugged and challenging activities such as backpacking, cross country skiing, rappelling, ranch work, and a wilderness expedition, offer an adventuresome and disciplined setting that can lead to effective change. Living with a chemical dependent adolescent or young adult, is not easy. His chemical use and behavior affects the whole family. Often, parents have lost all sense of trust and hope.