Adirondack Leadership Expeditions is a character development wilderness program for troubled teens that promotes personal growth through a focus on insight-oriented experiences. The forested, mountain setting removes urban distractions and simplifies options to help students gain insight into their core values and accept responsibility for their choices. Our wilderness program's nurturing approach helps participants address personal issues, achieve success in a safe environment, and develop their leadership potential. Wilderness programs for troubled teens serve as excellent alternatives to boot camps where they can build the skills to engage in healthy relationships, develop critical thinking skills, and dramatically increase their self-worth.

Adirondack specializes in helping young adults age 13 to 17 who are experiencing / exhibiting any of the following: entitlement, manipulation, family conflict, isolation, low self-esteem, substance use, defiant behavior, attention deficit, learning differences, school failure, and negative peer relationships.

ALE is not intended to serve adjudicated youth and has no state contracts to do so. The program does not accept students who have been diagnosed with major mental health thought disorders, have serious histories of running away, self-mutilation, habitual patterns of violence outside of the home, or who are currently demonstrating a willingness to hurt themselves.