Present day programs have evolved from the outward-bound model developed in Wales during World War II and the forestry camps of the 1930's. In contrast to typical institutional programs, wilderness experiences have small staff to juvenile ratios and emphasize interrelationships between staff and youth and among youth. Most programs are well-organized, focus on mastery of challenges, create opportunities for heightened self-respect among youth who have experienced primarily failure, use the outdoors and survival needs as a setting for academic learning, and emphasize group cooperation. Most include an orientation phase, a solo experience to demonstrate learned skills, a final event, and a celebration ceremony. Programs differ in their eligibility criteria, auspices, point of entry, duration, type and frequency of counseling, and aftercare. These similarities and differences are illustrated in such programs as VisionQuest, OceanQuest, Homeward Bound, the Eckerd Foundation Therapeutic Wilderness Camp, Camp Woodson, Corvallis House, and the Sierra II Wilderness Adventure program. Anecdotal and empirical evidence suggests that such programs have had positive effects on youth involved in them. 6 discussion questions and 18 references.