Philosophy: SOAR believes all individuals identified with learning disabilities (LD) and attention deficit disorder (AD/HD) possess inherent talents and gifts. These abilities can mean incredible success in adulthood once these students negotiate the challenging obstacles of childhood, adolescence, and a traditional education system, usually unable to respond to individual learning styles.

Students participating in SOAR's summer camps, weekend, winter break and semester courses take part in adventure experiences as diverse as camping, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, SCUBA diving, sea kayaking, and horseback riding. These activities provide the venue for developing problem-solving skills; effective communication strategies; increased self-awareness and general social skills. By achieving this success at SOAR, each student builds essential self-esteem and self-confidence that translates into all walks of life. Even though SOAR serves youth with LD and ADHD exclusively, our students do not view SOAR as a LD or ADD summer camp or an LD or ADHD adventure program. As a matter of fact, our students will probably not hear the terms learning disabilities or attention deficit disorder or the acronyms, LD or ADHD, during their SOAR experience. SOAR moves past the labels and focuses on strategies for dealing with the challenges associated with LD and AD/HD. Likewise, SOAR focuses on the gifts and abilities of each youth - strengths that will launch them into a life filled with opportunity and success.

SOAR’s programs are designed to allow students the opportunity to increase their independence while away from home. Independence is gained through self-motivation and life skills instruction. With this in mind, we involve our students in many decision making processes, such as setting individual goals, developing group guidelines, as well as trip and meal planning. This also comes into consideration when developing SOAR’s communication policy, detailed in our Parent Handbook.