Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN)

Adventure-Based Counseling Program
Developing Strengths While Having Fun!
Feb. 2012

With the help of many great community partners, the Adventure-Based Counseling Program offers a wide range of outdoor activity based services to help both children and adults that are facing difficulties to find their inner strength and harness it in ways that may even surprise the participants themselves.  Through facing repeated challenges of the outdoor activities, the participants come to realize that they are strong, capable and competent.

In the Adventure Based Counseling program, we are all about helping people develop strength and confidence to meet life’s challenges.  This Fall, we had many groups out exploring the caves of Clinton and Essex Counties.  Many people approached these days thinking, “That sounds cool, let’s do it!” but as we approached the cave opening things started to change.  They realized that the entrance was so small that you have to suck in that belly to squeeze in. 

The questions started.  So, what if I get stuck?  Are there any bats?  How far do I have to go?  What if the batteries in my flashlight die?  Did we sign in at the trailhead register so people know where we are if we don’t get out? 

As people entered the cave you saw the outward signs of anxiety.  The group went farther and somebody mentioned the fact that we were getting farther from the natural light coming from the cave entrance; eventually that was gone after just one turn in the tunnel.  Then, you heard words of encouragement.  “You’ll be fine,” “Stick with me,” “Joey, are you there?”  The group entered the big room and gathered together.  The leaders explained that we would show them something that no group member has ever seen.  We encouraged the group to turn off all flashlights.  The group experienced true darkness, the darkness which your eyes can never adjust to.

As the group exited the cave dirty and tired, we discussed the true meaning of the word “adventure.”  It means to go into the unknown, uncertain of the outcome. 

We discussed the things that made that possible: the encouragement, watching out for each other, helping your neighbor when they needed it.  These things tend to be the things that help all our human relationships go well and the group saw it.  Being able to exhibit these things in trying times is what strength and competence is.  “We can do that,” the group knows.