About True North

Comprehensive Wilderness Therapy

Helping families chart the course

From the Founders

Welcome to True North…

We began our careers as field guides for a well-known therapeutic wilderness program over 20 years ago, and our passion for working with struggling teens in the outdoors was born. Establishing this program is our way of coming home and finding our True North. We are thrilled to be able to introduce our students and their families to the incredible beauty and unique culture of life in the Green Mountains of Vermont. It is our goal to provide an inspiring experience that will be a cornerstone for positive change.

Our time in the outdoors has helped to define us as individuals as well as shape our work. We have handpicked every member of our exceptional staff so that we can serve our families at the very highest level in our field. True North wilderness program offers a journey of discovery for the whole family, and it is our privilege to be there every step along the way.

We look forward to meeting you,

Our Philosophy

As an owner-operated program, True North has prioritized a focus on our core philosophies since welcoming the very first student in 2005. The owners and administrative team remain committed to these core values:

Accepting only students who are appropriate for the program and group
Providing an environment that is challenging and supportive and never punitive
Limiting group size (no more than 7) for maximum individual attention
An average length of stay (10-12 weeks) that allows for deep and lasting change

Safety

The first responsibility of True North is to ensure the physical and emotional safety of all students and employees.

Licensure

True North is fully licensed as a Residential Treatment Program by the Vermont Department of Child and Family Services. True North is also accredited by the Association of Experiential Education.

Hiring

All staff must submit to federal and state background checks, drug testing, and complete a rigorous hiring process.

Training

All staff receive regular and ongoing intensive training and participate in structured and supervised professional development. Guides are required to hold Wilderness First Responder, CPR, and CPI (non-violent crisis intervention) certifications.

Clothing & Gear

Students are issued top-of-the line clothing and gear that is selected and tested for specific activities and weather conditions and is altered and replaced according to seasons and conditions.

Guide Resources

Guides are equipped with well-stocked first aid kits as well as digital radios and satellite phones that allow them to connect anytime to our 24-hour safety response team.

Locations

True North’s location allows for easy access to medical care including two trauma centers, Dartmouth Hitchcock hospital, and the University of Vermont Medical Center. General practitioners and our consulting psychiatrist are located only 20 minutes from our main office and field areas for routine medical care and medication management.