The Santa Fe Mountain Center is a nationally recognized, accredited, private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization that, since 1979, has been providing experiential and adventure-based programs for children, youth, families and groups. Our methodology presents an alternative to traditional educational and therapeutic approaches conducted in comfortable settings. We create dynamic learning experiences that include elements of adventure, education and challenge.

SFMC programs build resiliency by enhancing strengths that participants already have. SFMC helps participants to develop:

• Positive Values,


• Social Competencies and


• Positive Self-Identity.

We have been promoting resiliency since the SFMC was founded in 1979 — evolving program models to reflect current best practices. Now, we have woven elements of several philosophies into one model—The Experiential Adventure-Based Resiliency Model. By integrating these powerful models, we improve program, individual and community outcomes as we implement the best practices of our field.

Program designs range from single day programs to multi-day camps and wilderness programs. Adventure-based programming — cooperative games, problem solving group initiative challenges, ropes course, backpacking, rock climbing, rappelling, whitewater rafting — as well as community mobilization and youth organizing, have proven to be powerful vehicles for developing a sense of self worth, responsibility, compassion, and connection to community.

Although Mountain Center programs reach out to agencies and clients throughout New Mexico, our programs are primarily concentrated in central and northern New Mexico.

The Santa Fe Mountain Center is comprised of three main program area:

• Youth Development Services
  
  
  
  • Therapeutic Adventure Program (vulnerable youth)
  
  
  • Emergence (Native American)
  
  
  • NM Gay Straight Alliance Network (LGBTQ youth)
  
  
  • Adventures In A Caring Community: An Anti-Bullying Initiative
  
  
  
  


• Adult Health Services
  
  
  
  • Adventure OUT! Young Men's Group (LGBTQ young men age 29 and younger)
  
  
  • Positive Adventures (people living with HIV/AIDS)
  
  
  • Harm Reduction (HIV prevention & testing, syringe exchange and treatment referrals)
  
  
  • Courage to Risk (trauma survivors)
  
  
  
  


• Private Programs
  
  
  
  • Santa Fe Center for Leadership Development (organizational teambuilding)
  
  
  • Privately Contracted Programs (any private group)
  
  
  
  

The Santa Fe Mountain Center is proud to be the first and only therapeutic adventure program in New Mexico to be accredited by the Association for Experiential Education.

SFMC has demonstrated program excellence and maintained a 30-year record of program safety. We have taken a national leadership role in the development of Risk Management standards for experiential education and wilderness adventure programs.

In March 2006, SFMC received an award from the New Mexico Human Rights Alliance, for our innovative work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth and adults and their allies. SFMC prides itself on its work in diverse communities and contexts.