Building Bridges is located in the Lolo National Forest, one of the most beautiful expanses in the country, therefore having the boys spend time in nature is both a vital and natural extension of its program. It allows the teaching of new passions and a positive way to get their energy out. The summer activities include backpacking, hiking, mountain-biking, rafting, rock-climbing, and fishing. Summer activities can be experienced for several days or longer with water skiing on the weekends. In the winter, participants go ice fishing, sledding, ice skating, skiing, and snowboarding. Building Bridges provides many opportunities for its students to experience the outdoors.

Building Bridges stands across from the Clark Fork River, and is within a short drive of several other rivers. In addition to this, some of the most well-known ski areas are in close proximity, which creates the advantage of being able to choose an activity on any given day.

The experiential piece of every trip is a chance for the students to learn not only about the activity, but also about themselves. It provides an outlet to the daily stressors and creates passion that can be enjoyed in a sober environment. Whether it’s a day trip, which happens most weekends throughout the school year, or the longer summer trips, fun is always a large piece of the excursion.

The staff, including the Building Bridges therapist, are all outdoor enthusiasts and are happy to spend time with students, teaching them about all the area has to offer. The beauty that can be found in nature is a large part of the Building Bridges classroom, and the experiential trips give the students a chance to grow not only physically, but emotionally as they build self-confidence. This can come from a specific treatment plan on one of the summer trips, completing a challenge that a participant thought they may not have the capability to do, participating in a community service project, or creating close friendships, a natural by-product of being in the outdoors.

About Building Bridges

Building Bridges is a Therapeutic Boarding School in Thompson Falls, MT for boys 14-18 with substance and behavioral issues. Our mission is so create a structure that mirrors real life with the goal to have the boys attend public school. Building Bridges seeks to bring real life to treatment through redirection and empowerment. They strive to teach the young men to see how substance has created behaviors that have gotten in their way of pursing their passions. By teaching them how to have self-confidence and create a more positive manner, they are able to see their growth through using what they learn in a normalized safe environment that will transfer to wherever their next step is.