Wilderness Field Staff as Front Line Care during COVID-19
Co-Authors: Daniel Fishburn and Joanna Lilley
Wilderness Therapy programs are continuing to operate at this time during the COVD-19 pandemic. A public health crisis will not halt the needs for mental health, behavioral health or addiction treatment. If anything, it amplifies the need for these services to adjust to be able to continue to provide support for those in need.
Wilderness Therapy programs are taking precautions with incoming participants, as they are quarantined or introduced to their group. Each program has created real-time protocols with the constant changes and recommendations due to COVID-19. Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Council members are wilderness and adventure therapy programs that take ethics, research, and best practices seriously. During a time of a public health pandemic, these programs are adjusting admissions to protect their current participant.
In addition to participants, programs are also prioritizing the health and well-being of the field staff. Whereas field staff are seen as front-line care in each program, how they are trained and respected varies depending on the program. During a time where parents are not sure whether or not to enroll their loved one into a wilderness therapy program, we need to shift our attention to how Field Staff are and were operating pre- and during-COVID-19. That will shed light on the overall focus on staff health, which will trickle down to impact the well-being and safety of your loved one.
How Wilderness Field Staff operated prior to the COVID-19 crisis:
Field staff are trained in CPR, First Aid, and ideally as a Wilderness First Responder, field staff are trained to observe and report a wide variety of signs and symptoms. Field staff tend to all manner of minor injuries and illnesses while in the backcountry.
Physical safety is a top priority for Field Staff. Field staff are particularly attuned to things like hygiene, nutrition, hydration, and hiking safety for participants at all times.
Field staff have a genuine care and interest in human connection. Field staff have an interest and/or background in experiential education, working at-risk populations, and ideally have an investment towards effecting change in a young person’s life.
Field staff are trained in interpersonal communication, crisis prevention intervention, and therapeutic strategies and modalities. They are engaging in therapeutic relationships with the students in utilizing these skills, all the while managing the overall physical, emotional, and mental well-being of a group of adolescents or young adults.
Typically working a shift of 8 days on, 6 days off. Even some programs operate for 2 weeks on, two weeks off.
How Wilderness Field Staff are evolving during COVID-19 :
There has not been a major adjustment with the challenge of COVID-19. However, field staff are making some extraordinary efforts in the following areas:
Adjusting to programmatic changes that may include leading a “Welcome Group” of newly admitted clients to quarantine
Monitoring students and themselves for COVID-19 symptoms, including taking temperatures
Increasing attention to cleaning surfaces
Enforcing the CDC guidance of “6 and 10”, informed by increased likelihood of infection when within 6 feet of an infected person for more than 10 minutes
Avoiding risk of infection when off shift by social distancing, and sheltering at home during off shift.
Reporting any symptoms of infection immediately to the Program Director, on or off shift.
Field staff are truly the key agents of change in wilderness therapy! Just as medical personnel face the responsibility of managing behavioral health challenges as they care for patients, field staff risk physical injury and exposure when working with participants. They are seen as essential staff, and will continue to remain in that high of regard during this time. They selflessly give each shift that they work, as they continue to show up for those most in-need during a time where we’re asking the world to seek refuge at home.
Lastly, if you are looking for a rewarding job as Field Staff, please know there are programs that are still currently hiring. Check out some job boards (in alphabetical order):
For questions or comments contact Joanna.
