This program is for youth who are 6 to 17 years old and have possible behavioral issues, emotional or learning disabilities, or are juvenile offenders.

Behavior Management through Adventure (BMtA), a community-based, outdoor therapy program, is designed to encourage participants to make positive changes in their thinking patterns and behaviors and avoid re-arrest.

A quasi-experimental pilot study compared three groups: (1) BMtA, (2) an outdoor therapeutic program (OTP), and (3) the State of Georgia's Youth Development Center program (YDC).  Evaluations conducted at 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years after treatment found that those receiving the BMtA program had significantly lower re-arrest rates compared to youth who participated in OTP or YDC.  Additionally, the average time period from release until rearrest was significantly longer for youth receiving BMtA compared with those receiving OTP or YDC.

BMtA provides therapy for youth, who have behavioral or disciplinary problems, through outdoor, recreational challenges that promote group cooperation and experiential learning to overcome obstacles. Learning activities are comprised of common life issues that specifically pertain to youth challenges, and these activities intend to teach skills, such as the following:

• Learning patience;
• Listening;
• Recognizing different perspectives;
• Leading, following, planning, and experiencing consequences of one's actions; and
• Applying lessons to real-life situations.

The BMtA program is a Project Adventure licensed program and is included in the Building Respectful Learning Communities (BRLC) model, and BMtA can be implemented as a stand-alone program or can be part of a larger project.  The BMtA program is delivered by trained facilitators for groups of 12 to 20 youth who live together and participate in therapy sessions.

The BMtA program was developed in the early 1980s and has since been implemented by more than 20 schools, agencies, and programs with over 5,000 youth in Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Training is mandatory, and there are two levels of training, level 1 and level 2, that each last 4 days.  These facilitator trainings are offered on-site for $6,000 for up to 16 participants plus consultant's travel expenses. Please use details in the Contact section for more information on licensing or becoming a licensed provider.

Considerations for implementing this program include ensuring facilitators receive training; understanding there are required implementation materials that will need to be purchased; finding locations, equipment, and other resources that can accommodate outdoor adventure activities; making time for program activities; and obtaining participant buy-in and parental permission.

The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

If you are interested in implementing the BMtA program, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Program implementation times vary.  The program is typically delivered between 2 and 4 months.

The required, implementation materials, which include training and workshop manuals, activity guide, and books, are available for $190 per set.  Quality assurance process and report are also required, and these costs varies by site. On-site consultation and support for 8 days cost $12,000 per site plus travel expenses for the consultant.

To move the BMtA program to the Effective category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one external evaluation must be conducted that demonstrates sustained, positive outcomes. This study must be conducted independently of the program developer.

The Clearinghouse can help you develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu

Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu

You may also contact Project Adventure by mail 719 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA 01915, phone 1-800-468-8898, fax 1-978-524-4501, email info@pa.org, or visit http://www.pa.org/contact-directions.html

http://www.pa.org/?page_id=1866, https://share.nned.net/2013/02/bmta/, https://cdc.thehcn.net/promisepractice/index/view?pid=30261, and https://prezi.com/5maol1ctk-di/behavior-management-through-adventure/?frame=52989a971a951e36b186ee869f9d745c6eba9e65