TUCSON-BASED VISION QUEST (VQ) CONTRACTS WITH ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, AND COLORADO TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE FOR REFORM SCHOOL FOR DELINQUENT TEENAGERS. RACIALLY MIXED TEENAGERS, 12-18, ARRESTED FOR CRIMES INCLUDING PROSTITUTION AND BURGLARY, WHO CONTINUE TO BE INCORRIGIBLE IN INSTITUTIONS, ARE PLACED BY VQ IN SMALL GROUP HOMES IN THE COMMUNITY, OR ON RANCHES. THERAPY INCLUDES COUNSELING WITH THEIR OWN FAMILIES, AND OUTDOOR VENTURES, INCLUDING A WAGON TRAIN TRIP FOR SOME. THE FOUNDER OF VQ CLAIMS THAT WILDERNESS TRIALS GIVE ADOLESCENTS A CONFIDENCE- AND RESPONSIBILITY-BUILDING RITE-OF-PASSAGE INTO ADULTHOOD. FIFTY PERCENT OF THOSE GOING THROUGH VQ PROGRAMS DO NOT REOFFEND, AS OPPOSED TO 20 PERCENT OF THOSE INSTITUTIONALIZED. DAILY TESTS OF STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE ARE PROVIDED ON THE WAGON TRAIN. TEENAGERS SLEEP IN TEEPEES, RISE AT 5:30 A.M. TO CARE FOR ANIMALS AND WAGONS, AND TO BEGIN THE DAY'S JOURNEY OF 25 MILES. COUNSELORS ARE EX-POLICE AND ATHLETES. TOWNS ON THE WAGON TRAIN'S JOURNEY ARE USUALLY VERY FRIENDLY. ONE JUVENILE COURT JUDGE CLAIMS THAT THE SIMPLE, NECESSARY TASKS IN WILDERNESS LIVING AND CARING FOR ANIMALS INSTILL AN UNSHAKABLE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY. IN ADDITION, COUNSELORS ENCOURAGE THE TEENAGERS TO TALK ABOUT THEIR ANGER AND PROBLEMS, OFFERING THEM EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.