Summit Achievement (ME) has just successfully completed its third, vigorous re-accreditation process by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) for Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH) Programs, and subsequently has been awarded accreditation for another six years. Summit was the second in the nation to be initially accredited in 2015 and is now the first Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Program in the nation to have been re-accredited for the third time.

Why did Summit choose to be an Accredited Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Program?

According to the Association for Experiential Education (AEE): “Attaining accredited status through the AEE Accreditation Program is solid evidence of an organization’s commitment to quality and safety, belief in professional standards, and allocation of resources toward continued excellence and improvement.” Accredited Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare programs demonstrate, to impartial reviewers, that they operate above industry standards of ethical care, treatment evaluation, and risk management practices. 

Summit leadership believes that choosing to put the resources behind maintaining the program’s accreditation status highlights their longstanding commitment to the families and referring professionals that they serve.  For over 25 years, Summit Achievement has continually strived to be one of the best therapeutic programs in the field. 

The Process To Become Re-Accredited, Again

During the AEE re-accreditation process, a team of outdoor education/adventure therapy professionals spent three days on Summit’s Stowe, Maine campus, reviewing policies and procedures as well as interviewing staff and inspecting facilities.  Summit has had three teams of different reviewers on-site to do these reviews over the years.

The Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council has 22 members and Summit, (being one of the longest-standing programs), is one of 19 that has met the standard of AEE/OBH accreditation. Summit was one of the first programs in the country to become accredited by AEE/OBH, and remains, at this time, the only AEE/OBH accredited program in the Northeast.

AEE/OBH accreditation adds to the many credentials Summit Achievement already has, including being licensed by the State of Maine as a residential treatment center since 1996. Additionally, the Summit clinical team is made up of all masters-level, licensed mental health professionals. Summit is also a Research Designated Program awarded by the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs.

Summit choosing to prioritize the accreditation process, and the commitment to maintaining their high standards of care creates extra work for the staff. At this time, Summit especially acknowledges the hard work of Program Director Andrew Farris, who took a leadership role throughout this latest accreditation process.

About Summit Achievement

Summit Achievement is, and always has been, guided by positive reinforcement and the power of choice. Our outcome-focused program employs effective therapeutic and educational principles. Through the process of engaging therapy, classroom academics, and exciting wilderness expeditions, students experience the therapeutic benefits of outdoor adventure-based activities while learning to manage the demands of a more traditional environment. As an intentionally small, owner-operated wilderness therapy program, we serve adolescent boys and girls, ages 13-20, from around the world.