We feel so thankful that we are able to share this gorgeous wilderness with our students.

http://wncmagazine.com/feature/land_we_trust

"Along with MBSR, students participate in yoga sessions which helps them learn how to reconnect with their bodies and teaches breath control. For a lot of our students, especially those who struggle with trauma, their own bodies can feel very foreign to them. Yoga can serve as the bridge between the body and the mind.

The feedback from students has been amazing. A lot of them tell me that after yoga and mindfulness exercises, they have never felt more calm or relaxed. It provides a relief from the upsetting thoughts that many students deal with on a regular basis."

https://trailscarolina.com/…/yoga-mindfulness-can-reduce-s…/

Mindfulness Programming and Yoga Therapy

"Raising a child is both the most rewarding, most natural thing in the world – and the most difficult one. There isn’t a family in the world that hasn’t had at least one major fight. Moreover, pushing boundaries is a perfectly normal part of growing up. Testing limits allows a child to assert their individuality and explore who they are. In most situations, these arguments resolve themselves. Unfortunately, however, in some cases arguments become an everyday occurrence. Teens start ignoring adults, engage in dangerous behaviors, and stray far from a healthy path. While there is no magic solution to parenting struggling teens, several tips can make life easier for the whole family."

https://trailscarolina.com/…/finding-balance-tips-parentin…/

Staff Spotlight: Our Admissions Director, Dottie Lank

Dottie comes to Trails Carolina with a passion for building long-lasting relationships with referral sources and clients. Born and raised in Delaware, Dottie knew from an early age that she was destined to work in the behavioral health industry.

https://trailscarolina.com/dottie-lank/

"Most parents are used to seeing glowing screens as they walk by their teenager’s room. Whether it’s checking Facebook in the morning or playing Call of Duty late into the night, our children’s brains are being constantly stimulated by these devices. Research shows that teens are spending up to eight hours on electronic devices every day, and that amount of use can lead to video addiction in teens."

https://trailscarolina.com/…/video-game-addiction-teens-ef…/

Trails has an AdvancEd (SACS) accredited academic curriculum enabling students to transfer credits back home. Plus, there is proven benefits to bringing students into a more traditional classroom setting while in the therapeutic environment. Adding a personalized classroom environment helps our students achieve success and practice their new skills in a school setting.

https://trailscarolina.com/why-trails/academics/

"The orange-haired, twinkly-eyed Julia sometimes does things differently, but that’s OK. Elmo and Abby help the other kids on Sesame Street understand that even if Julia doesn’t look you in the eye, it doesn’t mean that she doesn’t want to be your friend. Simply by making Julia “part of the gang,” she is already having a big impact."

http://www.pbs.org/…/julia-sesame-streets-new-character-au…/

"Wilderness therapy can be extremely powerful for young people on the Autism Spectrum. The wilderness is a peaceful place, far away from the overstimulating environments many teens on the spectrum struggle with. Over the years, Trails Carolina has seen hundreds of teens on the spectrum experience positive transformations. Programming at Trails helps these teens become more confident in their ability to socialize with peers and learn to effectively adapt to new environments."

https://trailscarolina.com/…/choose-wilderness-therapy-tee…/

"As parents, we often feel as if we must shield our children from the pain of failing and making mistakes–but this within itself is a mistake. Teen mistakes are a critical part of developing into a capable young adult. Learning that mistakes are just a part of life and how to cope with them is an incredibly essential skill for becoming successful in adulthood. In a recent CNN article, Kelly Wallace–a mother of daughters–discusses her struggle with letting her daughters make mistakes and the importance of moving past that struggle."

https://trailscarolina.com/…/teen-mistakes-theyre-importan…/

"As much as many teens would hate to admit, they are linked to their family. A wilderness program addresses a variety of issues – from mental illness and addiction, to stress and trauma. Some problems are caused by external forces; others are caused by genetics. In any case, however, family plays a crucial role. Depending on the situation, a family dynamic can make an existing problem worse or even inadvertently trigger a problem in the first place. By focusing on potential issues and eliminating any kinks, even seemingly ruined family bonds can be repaired."

https://trailscarolina.com/…/healing-parents-benefits-fami…/

"Recent research into how the human brain develops helps explain some of the reasons teenagers can be especially impulsive, moody and not very good at responsible decision-making. The research also explains why teenagers can be especially susceptible to addictions, including drugs, alcohol, smoking and, yes, smartphones."

http://www.npr.org/…/why-teens-are-impulsive-addiction-pron…