It all began with an idea.

In the early 1970's, Connecticut State Senator Bill Moore had a dream–that troubled adolescents from Connecticut would benefit from an Outward Bound-type wilderness challenge experience. His determination and vision brought the Wilderness School into being and, as they say, 50 years later the rest is history.

One of our first major initiatives is to write a book about the amazing 50-year history of this therapeutic educational experiment. This book will tell the School's story primarily through the voice of past students, staff, and referring agency people.

Beth McCabe and Buck Harris have volunteered to co-edit the book. Beth's involvement with the Wilderness School began as a referring agency person and Buck joined the program as an instructor. Later they joined the leadership team during the early days of the School (Beth,1974, and Buck, 1976). They are now retired from successful professional careers in education and human services. Buck has published several books on educational topics.

The Wilderness School is a prevention, intervention, and transition program for adolescents from Connecticut.

“The Wilderness School entered my life fifty years ago. I was traveling a path that was sure to end in trouble. The Wilderness School helped me to realize my strengths and how to direct them in a positive way. To this day, what I was taught at the Wilderness School - self confidence, pride, kindness, and giving - are all a part of my daily life and who I am. I am very thankful for the lifetime of influences that the Wilderness School continues to give, fifty years later.”

- Donna King