Founded in 2008 by Graham Shannonhouse, Trails Carolina, a leading therapeutic wilderness program for youth and families, is proud to announce its 15th anniversary of serving families in need. For over a decade and a half, Trails Carolina has provided evidence-backed, life-changing therapeutic wilderness experiences for youth and adolescents ages 10 to 17 struggling with mental health, low self-esteem, and behavioral challenges. The program’s mission is to help students develop the confidence, coping mechanisms, and communication skills that will help them build resilience, self-efficacy, and a more constructive mindset, as well as educate parents and facilitate family healing. Trails continues to deliver on its promise: that wilderness therapy combined with proven clinical methodology produces lasting, positive change for students and their families. Trails Carolina has consistently provided real help to struggling youth, teens, and their families, and has developed into a true leader in wilderness therapy and a trusted partner for parents seeking innovative treatment options.

Jeremy Whitworth, Executive Director at Trails Carolina, reflects on Trails Carolina’s evolution, “When we started in 2008, we were pioneers in a different way of doing wilderness therapy. Fast-forward to today, you can see the positive impact that our wilderness therapy program has on families, not only through data but also anecdotally.”

Since its founding, Trails Carolina has served thousands of young people and their families. The program is consistently recognized for its excellence and commitment to quality care. Trails Carolina has earned numerous accreditations and certifications, including CARF certification, the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council’s (OBH) Research Designation, and the Wilderness Risk Management Conference’s (WRMC) Risk Management Accreditation. These certifications and recognitions are a badge of honor and a show of Trails Carolina’s commitment to excellence in wilderness therapy.

“We are so proud to be celebrating our 15th anniversary,” shares Whitworth. “It has been an incredible journey, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have helped so many young people and their families over the years. Our vision for Trails has evolved over time, but our commitment to providing the best possible care for our participants has remained constant.”

Looking ahead, Trails Carolina plans to continue providing exceptional care to adolescents and families in need. According to Graham Shannonhouse, Founder of Trails Carolina, “Our focus has always been on engaging the entire family in the process of healing. As we move forward, we will continue to innovate and evolve our program to best serve the needs of the entire family.”

Trails Carolina’s 15th anniversary is a significant milestone, and the program is proud to have helped many young people and families over the years. Trails Carolina offers a unique and effective wilderness therapy program for families seeking support for their children.