Solstice West RTC, a residential treatment center for girls ages 14-18, hosted their bi-annual parent-child camping trip in Moab, UT, about four hours south of the Solstice campus, while adhering to Covid-19 precautions. Although this year’s trip required the use of masks and some changes to food preparation, the trip itself was one of the most successful weekends since the programming’s start.

While typically the trips are hosted for either moms or dads, this year, Solstice chose to invite a group of both mothers and fathers alike to join their kids on the expedition. On the drive down, all participants wore masks and distanced as much as possible. Once they arrived, all were able to distance outside, and each family had their own tent with cots and their own space. The location is far enough outside of Moab to lack cell service. This in itself has been a major draw for parents. 

Amanda Sevigny, Adventure Therapy Assistant Director, said the opportunity to truly unplug and spend time with their children has been revelatory for many parents. “What I appreciate most about these trips is that when you take away all the distractions, and you offer a beautiful background for folks to come together, it’s hard not to have a lot of positive growth and connection,” Sevigny said.

Some students spend up to a year or more in treatment. This time away from home, while necessary, means that parents and children spend a lot of time working on the heavy parts of their relationships, but don’t always get the time to work on the lighter side. The parent-child trips provide the opportunity for them to reconnect, reintroduce themselves, and acknowledge the hard work and growth of the family. “These trips are great for families to really learn how to just be together again,” Sevigny said. “What they’re working on in therapy is still there and happening, but these trips offer moments for families to learn about each other. It’s a great opportunity to build community with one another and with families going through similar things.” 

Parent-child trips are hosted twice a year, in the spring and fall, and are open to all students who have reached the Threshold phase of the program. Each weekend includes hiking, rock climbing and rappelling, and some time to relax by the Colorado river. This unique opportunity is a great chance for families to reconnect and rebuild their relationships. 

Solstice RTC is a residential treatment center for teen girls that has helped hundreds of struggling teens on their journey to solving issues like trauma, depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Solstice RTC, located in Layton, Utah, offers a specialized, clinically intensive program based on the specific needs of young women. At Solstice RTC, young women discover their full potential. For additional information on Solstice RTC, please visit http://solsticertc.com/ or call 801-444-0794.