The Wellbeing through Integrated Learning and Development (WILD) project is an outdoor-based, youth-friendly program designed to promote emotional wellbeing and improved mental-health outcomes for young people.

Based on a new framework from the emerging field of adventure therapy, this project combines outdoor activities with therapeutic principles of applied psychology and experiential learning practices. The basic philosophy behind WILD is that people learn best by doing.

The WILD project is an 8-week program in which young people take part in a range of guided outdoor adventure experiences, group discussions and planning activities.

WILD has initially been developed for adolescents living with chronic illness and treated through the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. The invasive nature of many medical treatments places these young people at elevated risk for a range of psychosocial difficulties. Through involvement in the program, participants are encouraged to explore personal beliefs, to build on their sense of meaning in life, and to put into practice new skills and knowledge by "trying out" new behaviours, attitudes, and ways of interacting with others in a safe environment.

WILD is an outstanding partnership between the Royal Children's Hospital, Centre of Adolescent Health, and People & Parks Foundation. The program is supported by Parks Victoria.

For further information regarding the WILD project, please contact us on 03 9695 9017 or email info@peopleandparks.org  

Support the WILD project today by making a one off donation or by becoming a regular donor.

Donations of $2 or more to People & Parks Foundation are tax deductible.