What's New at Soltreks!

2007 was Soltreks’ tenth anniversary year and what an amazing year it was!
2007 was a year of transition and growth for Soltreks. In addition to a number of new staff appointments, Soltreks has been working toward expanding its programs to accommodate a wider range of special needs students.

New Team Members
Mark Gordon came aboard this past summer as our new Director in Minnesota. With over 25 years experience working in the outdoor field for both private and non-profit programs, Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Soltreks team.

Matt Hardy, a former wilderness instructor and a member of the Soltreks team since 2005, transitioned to the Wilderness Program Coordinator as Matt Brownlee departed for his next chapter in life toward a post graduate degree. With a broad range of experience working with youth and young adults Matt brings a wealth of knowledge to this position.

After working as a wilderness instructor for Soltreks, Jahna Hardy has accepted the position of Clinical Support Staff. Jahna has many years experience working with a wide variety of people in a therapeutic role and we are happy to have her with us. She is a tremendous help in her supportive role communicating with parents and referring professionals, and coordinating clinical information for our field therapists.

Steve Benson, a native Minnesotan, accepted the position of Logistics Coordinator from wilderness instructor. With his M.S. in Vocational Rehabilitation combined with many years of living off the grid in his backwoods home, Steve is equally comfortable facilitating the emotional growth of a student as he is coordinating the logistical needs of our program.

We are also happy to welcome Ethan and Micaiah, two local homeschooled teenage brothers to our team. They are charged with assisting Steve with the many logistical needs of the program.

Program Advancements
As we continue to offer customized treks to young adults, we are able to serve young adults who have higher needs due to self care, mental health or learning challenges.

The purchase of additional heated wall tents for our Winter Program has allowed us to expand our winter treks and serve a wider variety of client needs. Our winter program students travel from tent to tent to experience the beauty of the north woods as fully as possible while sleeping in a heated shelter each night. This is another step in expanding our Winter Program to ever greater possibilities.

Soltreks continues to participate in an outcome study with the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Cooperative.

In addition to her graduate degrees in Educational Psychology and Clinical Psychology, Kathleen Rennan, obtained her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) issued through the State of Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy and has since been promoted to Clinical Coordinator.

Upcoming
Soltreks is working to create licensing standards for Outdoor Behavioral Health in the state of Minnesota.

The annual Spring IECA conference will be held in Minneapolis, MN this year, three hours south of Two Harbors. Soltreks will be hosting pre conference consultant tour along the north shore of Lake Superior and the Soltreks program area. Please contact us if you are interested in visiting.

We are planning an exciting Summer Adventure Program, our 11th season! Please click here for more information:
 

Soltreks will also be facilitating several Family Treks in 2008. We invite you and your family to apply.

Celebrate!
Congratulations to Matt and Jahna Hardy on the birth of their beautiful baby girl, Aurora! Aurora was born on December 28, 2007. We welcome the new northern light!