Teens in the Wild - AN Overview.pub - RTÉ

BACKGROUND
Clinical psychologist David Coleman regularly gets calls from distressed parents whose teenagers are
causing them great concern. They are trying on a daily basis to deal with a range of issues such as
anger management and anti-social behaviour, Many parents are also trying to deal with their teen’s
susceptibility to danger on the streets, which is, today, a constant worry. For these parents, life has
become extremely stressful not only for them but for the entire family.
With the intention of making life somewhat better
for some of these families; in September 2008,
David Coleman, with the support of a core group of
instructors at Delphi Adventure in Connemara, offered
a group of teenage boys a 21 day ‘activity and
therapy programme’ based in an isolated location
within Delphi Mountain Resort.
During this time David also offered the teens’ parents
an opportunity to explore what possible reasons
may lie at the root of their child’s behaviour. In
essence, this unique programme aims to help both
the teenagers and their parents.
David’s hope was that by accommodating the group
in an isolated environment, away from all kinds of
temptations and distractions, and by providing
strenuous physical activity as well as time to work
through their issues with him, they would have the
opportunity to make some positive change in their
lives.
For some of the teens, it was their first time away
from home, which not only gave them time for reflection,
but also gave them and their parents some
much needed space from each other.
The fundamental aim of this project is to build the
teens up, not break them down.
NOTE: Delphi Adventure @ Delphi Mountain Resort
While the extraordinary support of Delphi played a crucial role in the running of this unique course, it is
important to point out that this is not a programme it offers to the public.