Adventure Challenge Page

About the Program

Since 1989, New Beginnings has integrated Adventure Challenge into the Transitional Living Program to promote positive life skills. Adventure Challenge (AC) (originally modelled after Outward Bound) offers experiential learning and adventure-based counseling designed for youth who have experienced homelessness. The trip’s nature-based experiences and social or physical challenges teach important life and social-emotional skills like teamwork, trust, and belief in one’s own abilities.

AC trips challenge youth to move beyond their perceptions of their own abilities (often negative due to past trauma) and overcome physical and emotional obstacles in a supportive environment. Experiencing success through AC can help transform their worldview and help youth move toward healthier coping strategies.

Over three decades, small groups of NB youth and staff have gone on nearly 200 wilderness trips and urban adventures, including skiing, overnight winter camping, canoeing, whitewater rafting, ropes courses, deep sea fishing, backpacking, rock climbing, apple picking, horseback riding, and trips to places that are “big cities” to many NB youth like Portland, Boston, Washington D.C., Quebec City, and New York.

All the AC trips help youth grow by trying new things and taking positive, healthy risks outside their comfort zone with caring adult support. Through AC trips, TLP youth develop new real-world skills while practicing problem-solving, strengthening interpersonal skills, increasing self-confidence, and enhancing well-being.

To make a donation of free or reduced-price goods or services to benefit the AC trip program, please contact the Development and Marketing staff at 207-795-4077.