Redlands, CA - Cory Skaggs, 21 year-old grandson of Jayne Longnecker-Harper, M.Ed., Founder & CEO of Benchmark Transitions, has recently developed and launched the new Field Guide and Curriculum for Benchmark's Sober Outdoor Adventure Recreation (SOAR) hiking program. The Hiking Field Guild and Curriculum developed by Cory includes classroom and experiential activities and 12 rotational courses. It includes an Overview and Purpose, Education Standards, Objectives, Evaluation and Resources. The course demonstrates planning and preparation, safety and risk managment, map reading and other essential outdoor hiking basics. Clients and staff then practice their skills as they enjoy the beautiful hiking areas near Benchmark.
Skaggs, a 21 year-old Junior at Sierra Nevada University (SNU) in Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies in Outdoor Adventure Leadership (ODAL) and Ski Resort Management and is a member of the SNU Snowboard Team. Skaggs took a medical leave of absence last semester due to a knee injury during snowboarding. With his extra time, he submitted a proposal to the family business to add increased organization and guidance to the SOAR hiking program.
"During the Stay-At-Home orders for COVID-19, I was invited to teach a Topography Mapping class during SOAR," states Cory. "From there, it led into developing a full hiking field guide and curriculum that can be taught by Benchmark's teacher, Ben Madison, M.A.T., every Friday. Ben has tons of outdoor education experience and it was fun to coordinate and implement the Field Guide for the class," emphasizes Skaggs. Cory has led the ODAL Orientation at SNU, has been trained as a Certified Outdoor Educator through National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and has training as a White Water Rafting Guide. He holds his Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, Leave No Trace (LNT) certification and is also a certified Avalanche-I Rescue Responder.
The SOAR Curriculum is led by a Master's level credentialed educator, and co-facilitated by licensed and credentialed clinicians to enhance the therapeutic learning experiences within the programming. For more details about SOAR and other programs at Benchmark Transitions, please contact Admissions at 800-474-4848 x1. Benchmark Transitions SOAR Program
About Benchmark Transitions
Benchmark Transitions is a comprehensive, multi-disclipinary approach to residential treatment and supportive transitional living for young adult men and women, ages 18-28. Benchmark provides evidence-based and compassionate treatment for mental health and co-occurring substance use disorders, community based supportive transitional living, education and career development and independent living life skills. As the longest running young adult specific treatment and transitional living program, Benchmark is best known for treating a range of complex mental health issues including anxiety, ADD/ADHD, attachment and trauma, mood and thought disorders, mild autism spectrum disorders, executive functioning and substance use disorders.
Benchmark Transitions is licensed and certified by the State of California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and is fully accredited for all levels of care with The Joint Commission for Behavioral Health. Benchmark accepts most PPO insurance plans and is In-Network with Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross (accepting most BCBS/Blue Card members), MHN/Tri-Care, Kaiser Permanente of Southern California, First Health and Quantum Health. Our in-house billing and claims department helps famililes access quality care at Benchmark Transitions for all levels of care.