COURSE FINDER
ABOUT
PROGRAMS
PLANNING
CONNECT
WAYS TO GIVE

Intercept Family & Student Profile

David Morgan
Intercept Participation Overview

This information highlights nice to haves, need to haves and non-negotiables for Intercept participation. Our goal is to set everyone up for success. We have found that better preparation leads to better outcomes. Intercept is a life-changing program that is most effective when families and their healthcare providers understand eligibility and evaluate potential fit for their participant.

The Parent Profile
  • Tired of conflict with their child
  • Running out of ideas
  • Feel like they’ve tried “everything” and don’t know where else to go or what else to do
  • Looking for a positive, supportive learning experience for their child and their family
  • Want to their child and themselves time and space to grow new coping and life skills
  • Seeking “time tools” and “support” rather than an “intense” “more expensive” or “bootcamp” experience like wilderness therapy
The Student Profile
  • Experiencing low motivation, struggling with self-confidence, and
    self-esteem
  • Feeling or exhibiting anger
  • Struggling with rules and defiance
  • Struggling with low self esteem and confidence
  • Chronically poor school performance
  • Risky behavior
  • Having a hard time communicating
  • Grappling with anxiety and/or depression
  • Feeling apathetic about school or coming into conflict there
  • Doing “fine” and then suddenly “going off the rails”
  • Poor decisions with friends
  • Substance experimentation or use– alcohol, marijuana, and
    vaping– but family and therapists don’t categorize as addiction
  • Inconsistent interest or motivation in changing their behavior
  • Not fully on board with participating in Intercept, but ideally agree
    they are struggling in some areas and could use a change

Basic Criteria for Intercept Participation

  • Age 14-17 for 28-Day Course
  • Age 17-21 for 50-Day Course
  • Student must meet Essential Eligibility Criteria
  • Candidate is willing to attend and participate, even if they have a poor attitude
  • One parent/guardian is willing to attend the Family Seminar at the end of Intercept
  • Eligibility determination is made during enrollment process

*Certain medical & mental health histories or behaviors require that a physician and/or therapist recommend student participation. It is rare for VOBS to accept a student with a significant history or behavior without this critical professional recommendation. 

 

Behavior/History MAY Include:

  • Low motivation
  • Anger issues
  • Chronically poor school performance
  • Defiance
  • Risky behavior
  • Low self-confidence

*While these may be typical teenage behaviors, for the Intercept candidate, they are happening to a degree or frequency that prevents teens from engaging in or succeeding in life.

 

Behavior/History MAY NOT Include:

  • Chronic history of aggressive or violent behavior (students with a one-time occurrence of aggression triggered by very specific circumstances would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
  • Recent suicide attempt 
  • Active, severe eating disorders
  • Active, severe chemical or substance dependencies
  • Persistent engagement with the juvenile justice system
  • Current incarceration
  • Recent in-patient treatment (including for substance dependency) 
  • Severe proximity-based anaphylactic allergies (eg: anaphylactic shock from peanuts nearby)
  • Physician or therapist objection to participation (VOBS will not accept students if their healthcare provider advises against enrollment)
  • Significant & repetitive pattern of run-away incidents 
Contact Us to Learn More
THERE IS MORE IN US THAN WE KNOW. IF WE CAN BE MADE TO SEE IT, PERHAPS FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES WE WILL BE UNWILLING TO SETTLE FOR LESS.
-Kurt Hahn, Outward Bound Founder

Sign Up for Updates


Stay informed on Voyageur Outward Bound School news and updates!
Please fill out the form below to begin receiving our email newsletter.
EnglishChinese (Simplified)Chinese (Traditional)KoreanVietnameseBengaliHmongKhmerPunjabiSomaliMyanmar (Burmese)