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One of the hallmarks of 7 Arrows Academy programming is the inclusion of Extraordinary Experiences: physically and psychologically challenging activities designed to penetrate defensiveness, build confidence, teach cooperation and teamwork, and foster a sense of positive accomplishment.
Extraordinary Experiences include activities such as hiking, rock climbing, boating expeditions, bicycle treks, working with horses, and participation in ceremonies based on American Indian traditions. These experiences, led by skilled instructors in collaboration with the program’s clinical staff, provide youth with direct “hands-on” learning that develop skills in reasoning, decision making, anger control, empathy, conflict resolution, leadership skills and interpersonal problem solving.
A key therapeutic component is the 7 Arrows Equestrian Program. The experience of working with horses is a powerful modality for teaching young people about relational skills, trust, caring for and being supported by others, and how to control without using force. For many youth, this is also a very important modality for exploring and healing prior histories involving trauma and other psychological injuries.
Using an innovative approach called Round Pen Guided Centering, our students learn important life lessons through the experience of natural horse training. Skilled wranglers teach them how to communicate successfully with the horse and gain control through respect and leadership rather than power, intimidation and force. The horses are excellent teachers of these concepts.
Your child’s hands-on experience in the Round Pen is followed up in conversations with his therapist. Individual and group sessions help young people to make the connection to other relationships and experiences in their lives.
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