Summit Achievement announces the opening of Ascent, a young adult assessment program in Maine. In this six-week program, young adults will have individual, group, and family therapy and participate in the innovative Ascend-to-Work program created in collaboration with the White Mountains Community College (WMCC). The Ascend-to-Work Curriculum will help assess young adults’ readiness for college or the workforce or independent living by exposing them to classes on a college campus, job shadowing in a resort community, and weekend adventure activities. Due to the unique collaboration between WMCC and Summit, families can use 529 plans to help defray the cost of Ascent. The Ascent program also has weekend adventure therapy activities, including backpacking, canoeing, ice climbing, backcountry skiing, and other outdoor pursuits in Maine and New Hampshire.

Upon completion of Ascent, young adults will have a comprehensive Ascent After Care Map highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in terms of readiness for college, vocational training, or joining the workforce, a comprehensive clinical summary, and up to 11 transferable college credits. Summit will be enrolling the Ascent cohort starting September 5th and is encouraging young people looking for direction to apply.

Summit’s Clinical Director, CEO, and co-owner Nichol Ernst, LCSW, will be working with Ascent clients through 2022 and said, ”This program is needed now more than ever due to the pandemic, as many young people have had their life plans derailed and need guidance to move forward.  For many years, I have felt that our unique hybrid model would be perfect for young adults. This program is much more than a young adult adventure program as our innovative Ascend-To-Work curriculum provides college credit and more assessment than most, and 529 funds can help pay for Ascent.  Our adventure activities will be a powerful adjunct to our strong residential community and intensive individual and family therapy.  Clients will also receive guidance and support around a healthy electronic diet, budget management, and other necessary independent life skills.  While we will offer a short-term comprehensive assessment of clients, we will also provide the supportive, quality care that Summit Achievement has the reputation of providing for 26 years.  I am excited to work with these first cohorts of young adults in this exciting new program. My nearly 20 years in this field have led to this moment and this program”.  

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.