LUK offers a variety of adventure-based services through the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Department of Mental Health (DMH), and Department of Public Health (DPH). This includes programs for foster youth, youth involved with DDS, and youth ages 12-24 who have been impacted by, or are currently struggling with, substance use/misuse.
Learn about our specific programs below, and contact LUK’s Central Referral team to get started (For DCF S&S, please put in referrals through the Virtual Gateway).
Programs
We Intentionally Live and Learn Differently (WILLD)
After-school and summer programming for youth ages 12-24 who have been impacted by substance use/misuse OR are experimenting/using substances currently. There are separate Intervention and Treatment/Harm Reduction groups as well as individualized services. Funding for this program is provided by DPH and referrals can be submitted by anyone. Learn more about making a Referral to LUK programs.
Teaching, Reaching, Experiencing with Kids (TREK)
After-school and summer programming for at-risk youth, generally ages 10-17. TREK programming includes team initiatives, high and low ropes course, kayaking/canoeing, rock climbing, and other activities. Funding for this program comes from DCF, DMH, and DDS. TREK is also available as a DCF S&S service.
Teaching, Reaching, Experiencing, and Educating (TREE)
Daytime programming for neurodivergent young adults running 2 days per week. Programming focuses on social skills, expanding exposure to new activities, and building skills. Funding for this program is provided by DDS, and referrals should come to LUK from a DDS case worker.
TREK Synergy
After-school and vacation adaptive programming for neurodivergent youth. Programming focuses on strengthening social skills, practicing communication, and emotional regulation. Funding for this program is provided by DDS, and referrals should come to LUK from a DDS case worker. On occasion there are scholarship funds available for non-DDS participants.
TREK – Clinical Adventure Therapy (TREK-CAT)
TREK-CAT is a community-based program that specifically serves DCF-involved children, youth, and young adults who would benefit from a higher level of care than our typical program. Clinical services will be available to clients as individual and/or family sessions with a clinician on an as-needed basis. The same therapeutic elements implemented in traditional office settings are used in combination with the prescriptive use of wilderness, nature-assisted, and outdoor experiences to meet the therapeutic treatment needs of clients. TREK-CAT is primarily available as a DCF S&S service.
SHRED
Weekly after-school skiing or snowboarding group for ages 13-18. This 8-week winter program starts in early January, and all lessons, gear, and lift costs are included. SHRED can be funded by DCF, DDS, DMH, or scholarship opportunities.
About Adventure-Based Programming
Nature Assisted Activites
Adventure programs work with other agencies to provide activities with local and exotic animals, including several farms for horseback riding/horse care and interactive vaulting. Adventure values nature as an integral part of the program.
Experiential Education Approach
Experiential Education is a philosophy and methodology in which educators purposefully engage with learners in direct experience and focused reflection in order to increase knowledge, develop skills, and clarify values. LUK is a member of the Association of Experiential Education (AEE).
Our Program
The Community and Family Support Services division of LUK has been offering accredited community-based Adventure Programming for a variety of youth and young adult populations since 2006. Based out of LUK’s Boylston office, programming takes place throughout Central MA. Summer and vacation programs are typically four full days a week, & after-school programming is provided in the afternoons.
Adventure-based programming allows participants to experience themselves and others in new contexts such that they are able to appreciate the healing aspects of nature, positive youth/adult interaction, adventure, and interdependence. These experiences strengthen the foundation of relationships and allows people to be in the world in new ways. Participants are exposed to free and sustainable activities they may incorporate into their lives, like hiking, and potentially new opportunities, such as rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Private-Pay Adventure Programs
LUK now offers affordable, high-quality private-pay adventure programs for schools and other youth-serving organizations who are interested in bringing Adventure-Based Experiential Learning to their youth. Learn more about LUK Adventure Programs at www.LUK.org/Adventure
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