Services: Distant Drums Beginnings specializes in accommodating at-risk teens ages 13 through 17. As a society, our future depends on the young ones who now travel the seemingly uncharted trails of their lives. Many are adrift on wayward paths or have deliberately walked into a darkness from which there seems to be no return. Our treatment focuses on both emotional and behavioral disorders including chemical dependency, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, family discord, school failure/expulsion, impulse control disorders, AD(H)D, and other behavioral disorders. Creating rhythms for a healthy life is our specialty. We understand that neither you nor we can force these teens to conform to our wishes, but in the quiet yet demanding outdoor setting we can take them under our arm and give them a fresh start and new skills toward a productive trail in life. Our program helps teens realize that they’re valuable, lovable people with unique attributes. It is important to us not to hand our students answers, but help them find the answers within themselves. Teens are helped to increase personal responsibility, integrity, self reliance, internal motivation, communication skills, and academic skills while improving family relationships and social responsibilities. To help facilitate change, our therapist will contact the student’s family weekly to discuss family issues and formulate interventions that will most benefit the student and the entire family. We assist parents and families in improving communications and support as the student participates in an outdoor based therapeutic program. Parental involvement is encouraged while the student is in the program. We have found that parents provide a great deal of insight when it comes to helping their child. Upon entering Distant Drums Beginnings, each teen receives a physical exam, evaluation, and an individualized plan of service is developed. Our main objective is to individually maximize personal growth and understanding while developing social awareness and interpersonal relationships. Distant Drums Beginnings is a non-deprivation program. We provide each teen with the gear, food, and the guidance they need to participate in a wilderness experience. During each students stay with Distant Drums they have the opportunity to "offer up" any unneeded items as they progress through the programs emotional growth "Rhythms" and learn new skills of self sufficiency. Distant Drums believes that an outdoor program is a highly effective way to eliminate destructive behavior patterns. We use to our advantage the West Desert terrain that is free from the distractions that normally influence negative behavior in adolescents. Our field staff is highly trained not only as a wilderness survivalist but are well versed in being able to help each individual in the emotional growth process. Each participant can expect to be physically, emotionally, and intellectually challenged. Participants hike trails that were hiked by Native Americans centuries ago and drink from clear, cool springs that have flowed for eons. Most nights the participants will sleep under the stars and enjoy learning the constellations, unobstructed by smog or pollution. Participants are in tune with Mother Nature and learn to live harmoniously with the other members of the group. They will learn that there is a way to live without hamburgers, milk shakes, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. These items are replaced with feasts, story telling, and Native American ceremonies and dances.

Types of Services:
Teen programs

Address: Distant Drums Beginnings main office is located at 810 N Main, in Nephi, UT. The office is located approximately 80 miles south of Salt Lake City, Utah. The “west desert” of Utah is home for all groups to hike, camp, develop life changing habits, learn necessary survival skills, respect for Native Americans and Mother Nature, and environment preservation.

Message to Parents: Distant Drums Beginnings is licensed by the State of Utah and participant’s progress is monitored by state certified staff. Each “clan” (group) is organized into nine teens with a 3 to 1 ratio. Each participant meets with a therapist, licensed by the State of Utah, once a week. Along with a therapist, our treatment team consists of a program manager and qualified field staff. Each participant will receive 3,000 calories a day, which is required by the State of Utah. Each participant will receive educational assignments from our staff educator. In most cases, the participant’s school will give credits for their learning experience and completed assignments, while enrolled in our program. It is our mission to help participants discover their strengths and gain the confidence needed to lead healthy, harmonious, and productive lives.

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