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Summary: An honest account of wilderness therapy
Review: Having worked for several wilderness programs, I felt this book was well written and actually gave credit to the success of wilderness therapy programs. The therapeutic process was well explained from the group and one on one counseling to the metaphoric use of the wilderness component. A worthwhile book for parents, counselors, students, and especially wilderness instructors or therapists. Hope to see more books like this.
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Summary: Rare insight into a little-known world . . .
Review: Having worked for years with at-risk teens, I can't tell you how pleased I was to stumble across this book. As far as I know this is the first time any outdoor writer has gone beyond a one-dimensional look at outdoor therapy (which usually shows up as a finger-pointing piece about some bad program caught abusing kids), to give an honest, and altogether accurate portrayal of how it feels to be on the ground with kids struggling for their very lives. As Dr. Michael Gass, one of the nation's premier experts on adventure therapy put it, (Ferguson's book) "led me to hug my own children a bit tighter and think about my investment in them as a parent." And that's high praise indeed.
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Summary: Outdoor adventure that *matters*
Review: Here's an outdoor adventure tale with a difference: this time it matters. The book's heroes are kids full of despair and headed for self-destruction, through crack, crystal meth, bulimia, suicide, or violence. Ferguson follows them and a remarkable set of instructors through the Utah wilderness, where the harsh realities of nature provide opportunities for (not recreation but) re-creation. Ferguson brings expertise in nature, myth, and ritual, as well as insight and wit. But in general, he wisely gets out of the way and lets his powerful characters tell their emotionally gripping stories. The result is a rare accomplishment: a book that teaches us important things about both nature and psychology (and how public policy should deal with them)--but does so subtly, tenderly, and beautifully.
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Summary: Hitting the nail squarely on the head
Review: I am fortunate enough to be one of the people featured in this book, I still work for the program and know many of the individuals featured. It is rare indeed when someone from the great beyond stumbles into your world, is authentically interested, captures the essence of what you're up to, and then publishes his findings. I can appreciate the reviewers who find the book "sappy". In a world full of resignation (I don't make a difference) and cynicism (nothing makes a difference), the sort of testimonials Ferguson recounts don't fit. There are many programs out there doing miraculous work, based solely on the human drive to make a difference in the world. Every day I am witness to the courage and magnificence of human beings, and have gotten my life from working with the children and adults chronicled in this book. Read this book if for no other reason than to challenge the notions that people are no good, the world is going to hell in a handbag, and teenagers are hopelessly lost, directionless and apathetic.
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Summary: Excellent book; one to think about after you're finished
Review: I enjoyed this book very much. I liked how the kids (and their parents and families) through their experience in the wilderness were brought to a place where they were honest with themselves, many of them for the first time in their lives. I think the author makes a great case for the power of nature to induce that effect in our lives. I didn't find it to be "new-agey" at all. In fact, Mr. Ferguson seems to go to pains to keep it from becoming that type of book. I've experienced similar feelings when I've spent time in the out-of-doors. It's very inspiring to see the changes that take hold in these people's lives as they confront who they are. This is a book I probably wouldn't have purchased based on the cover. It was recommended to me and I'm very glad I had the chance to read it.
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Summary: Excellent book that shows the power of natural consequences
Review: I have been helping a children-at-risk program in Livingston, Montana. Shouting At the Sky helped me to better understand the issues surrounding teens-at-risk and the power of nature to heal their wounded souls. Ferguson writes poignantly about a wilderness program that uses the theory of "natural consequences" to teach troubled teens the importance of responsible behavior. Perhaps more importantly, the wilderness program helps teens find their self worth for themselves and their families. The book contains important information for those of us seeking lasting solutions to the problem of troubled teens and the dilemma they pose to society.
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Summary: Complete Crap
Review: I know some of the people that have come back from these programs more messed up than when they left. "It's worse than being in jail" seems to be a common report on their experiences. The book is a propaganda tool to disguise this brainwash prison camp as a "back to nature" experience. Nothing more than an advertisement for a mutli-million dollar industry.
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Summary: a beautiful glimpse into the power of nature
Review: I was amused to read John from Arizona's blanket condemnation of wilderness programs. While he's right that there are some bad ones out there (in his book Ferguson goes so far as to suggest there may be more bad ones than good ones), there are great ones, too. I know because I have a younger brother, a former heroine addict, who went to such a program in Oregon three years ago. He says the people there were kind and generous; he also says that it saved his life. I find it depressing that people are so quick to pass judgement on things that they have little or no personal experience with. To suggest that we should shut down all wilderness programs instead of just running out the bad ones out (as we do with bad day care centers, nursing homes, teachers, etc.), gives new definition to the idea of being brainwashed. This book is filled with an incredibe amount of hope. Then again, those too cynical or afraid to believe will never find it.
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Summary: PROUD SURVIVOR
Review: I was sent to Aspen Achievement Academy shortly after my 17th birthday. At first, I could not imagine what such a program could do for me. It turned out to be the best experience I've ever had. I learned about myself, gained confidence, and made friends who I plan to keep forever. Gary Ferguson is one of those friends. He encourages and supports me. I don't think it's fair to condemn wilderness programs until you have personally experienced them. It was magic for me.
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Summary: Good look at a good working program...
Review: I work for a wilderness program in South Carolina (child of a Utah program) and it was cool to read about what I do with these kids out there. It definitely isn't as intense as the Utah programs because of SC laws, however, it does get really scary at times and really joyous at others. It was funny though, there were parts where I laughed out loud (at pretty inappropriate parts) only because I've gone through the exact things that Ferguson talked about. I think this book is a great thing for families to read that have children in wilderness programs (the good ones that is) and understand what they're kids are going through.
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