While wilderness programs can be a benefit for some, they are clearly not for everyone. There are many factors to consider when considering a wilderness program for your child, whether it be for rehabilitation or recreation. Here, we'll list some pros and cons to think about, individualized for each type of wilderness program.

Type	Pros	Cons
Troubled Teen Rehabilitation	helps teens cope with problems, therapeutic experience, removes teens from negative influences	can be costly, little contact with loved ones for extended periods, can be physically challenging
Residential Camp(Summer Camp)	promotes social activities, can be fun and educational for child	can be lengthy, children can get home sick
Adventure Expeditions	Personal development focus, involves teachers, research outcomes	moderately expensive, limited access to wilderness areas
Spiritual/Religious	strong spiritual development, can sometimes involve family, relatively inexpensive	not ideal for all teens, can be lengthy
Expeditionary Learning	fully integrated with school curriculum, involves teachers, promotes hands on learning	limited availability, not well known, requires a major commitment