What happens in our groups?

Outdoor fun, meet intensive therapy!

Swinging on trees, fighting with swords, mucking in the mud? Check.

Sculpting sand, reading stories, building forts? Check!

Step one: we play.

So it’s “kid utopia”, then?

Sometimes! But often, it’s not — and that’s when our work gets real.

Problems pop up - for example, kids argue, get too cold, or get bored.

Arguing? We pause, and examine our concerns.

Too cold? We pause, and pay attention to what discomfort feels like in our bodies.

Bored? We pause, and figure out what the problem really is.

So, step two: we play, and problem-solve the struggles that come up.

The specifics of what we do will vary based on what kids find wonderful, and best supports their therapeutic progress. But one thing stays the same: we help kids understand themselves.

Who are these ideal for?

All sorts of kids — neurodiverse kids and neurotypical kids.

Kids who struggle with emotional regulation, social skills, motor skills, or picky eating.

In short, kids who would benefit from understanding themselves better.

What times do they meet?

Depending on the season, the size of the group, and the needs of the kids in it, groups meet once a week for anywhere from 1 to 3 hours at a time, typically in the afternoons.

How long are the sessions?

They meet once a week, for 10 weeks at a time during the schoolyear, 7 weeks in the summer. (Between sessions, we take a pause for a few weeks to complete make-ups, parent consults, new evaluations, etc.)

Where do they meet?

In the warmer months, local parks throughout the gorgeous Rochester, MN area. In the winter or when severe weather is predicted, we meet at the combined shelter and wildnerness that the wonderful community at People of Hope offers.