302: Beyond Hell Camp: A New Documentary on Wilderness Therapy

In a moment when wilderness therapy is often framed as either a miracle or a menace, what gets lost when we stop listening for the full human story? In this special episode of Stories from the Field Will is joined by filmmakers Vince Dixon and Mark Strauss, the directors of the upcoming film Forest Through the Trees: The Truth About Wilderness Therapy. Will is also serving as a one of the producers on the project. Together, they explore what drew Vince and Mark to wilderness therapy as a subject, how their assumptions have been challenged through a year of research and interviews, and why the field cannot be understood through a single narrative shaped by headlines or popular media alone. A clear theme emerges: wilderness therapy is not a single model or idea, but a diverse and evolving field that resists simple labels of "good" or "bad." The conversation explores what it takes to tell a responsible story in a deeply polarized landscape. As directors, Vince and Mark outline their commitment to ethical, balanced storytelling—actively seeking out critical voices alongside positive outcomes, examining cost, access, safety, and history, and responding thoughtfully to the cultural impact of films like Hell Camp: Teen Nightmare. As a producer on the film, Will reflects on why this kind of nuanced storytelling matters right now: not to defend or condemn the field, but to expand understanding, foster empathy, and help listeners grasp why families turn to wilderness therapy when they feel out of options—while honoring the real complexity and controversy surrounding outdoor mental health care. To learn more about the documentary check out the website: https://www.wildernessdocumentary.com/ This podcast is supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute (wmai.org), offering adventure inspired retreats for men and facilitated by Will White.