Thinking about summer? So are we, and maybe your children are too. Eric LaPugh of Empire leads ‘True North Counseling,’ where he combines therapeutic expertise with wilderness guidance to address societal problems.
LaPugh, who is based at The Commons in Traverse City, offers customized care through in-office counseling sessions and outdoor therapy experiences.
This will be the sixth season that LaPugh and his trained group of counselors will be hosting youth adventures on South Manitou Island.
“We started by just wanting to get some kids out to Manitou Islands because it’s an amazing wilderness experience,” he said.
True North Counseling TC is hosting a boys trip to South Manitou Island for ages 11-14 from June 30 to July 3. The girls trip for ages 11-17 is happening from June 17-20. There will be a women’s adventure retreat from June 27-30 for women 18 and up to the island as well a men’s adventure retreat to Utah and Arizona from September 18-25.
LaPugh has been guiding wilderness retreats for over 20 years and has been a therapist for almost 10 years.
“This program is designed to be therapeutic in values,” LaPugh said.
The program is designed to build social and communication skills, problem solving, wilderness survival activities, hiking, team building.
Sight-seeing adventures also include seeing the historic South Manitou Lighthouse.
The program hosts roughly 10 youths in a small group.
“We want everyone to have a chance to lead,” LaPugh said.
According to LaPugh, one out of three adolescents deal with mental health issues.
LaPugh says the wilderness program helps relax the nervous system and promote positive brain chemicals like serotonin simply by being out in nature whether in a dense forest or a city park.
“Feel good chemicals help us with our immune system and feeling healthy. Fresh air and full of oxygen to calm the brain and nervous system,” LaPugh said. “Studies show if our bodies are out there for three days our nervous system resets along with our sleep and wake cycle. One vacation can last up to 30 days after the trip.”
Kids these days spend six hours less a day outside than generation X, according to LaPugh.
“Kids are plugged in and engaged in digital technology far more than we ever experienced before and moving away from the very thing (nature) we need to better our society,” LaPugh said.
The team at True North includes Corey Hansen, Chelsea Hummon and Anna Mausolf.
The Zachary “Zac” Fochtman Scholarship
Every year, True North hosts a cross country adventure for teen boys ages 14-17 to explore a variety of scenery and locations each year. Experiences include seeing national parks, forests, mountain ranges, rivers, waterfalls and wildlife, with activities like white water rafting, hiking, fishing and more. This year they will be heading to Utah and Colorado from July 8-21.
By offering the Zachary “Zac” Fochtman scholarship for the XCountry Adventure Retreat, Zac’s family is not only keeping his memory alive but also making a positive impact on the community. This scholarship is a beautiful way to honor the memory of Zac and his passion for nature, adventure, and helping others. It is heartwarming to see his family continuing his legacy through this scholarship to provide opportunities for others to experience the transformative power of wilderness therapy. This initiative not only benefits the recipients of the scholarship but also serves as a reminder of Zac’s spirit and the values he held dear.
LaPugh works with Michaels place and child and family services to find people for the scholarship.
Lobbying in D.C.
Father-and-daughter duo Eric and Addison LaPugh were invited to lobby Congress on behalf of the National Park and National Parks Conservation Association for True North’s work in hosting veteran retreats on South Manitou Island. This is Eric’s second year in a row lobbying in D.C. on behalf of the National Park Conservation Association, a nonprofit lobbying group that partly focuses on veterans mental health by getting them on retreats.
“I’m really excited to represent our area and get a chance to step up on a soap box,” LaPugh said.
LaPugh will be hosting another veterans retreat July 25-28. True North is still looking for sponsors on the trip as they need to raise $6,000 to take veterans out to the island for the four day retreat.
Addison and Eric visited with multiple representatives in congress and senate.
They met congressman Jack Bergman, senator Gary Peter, Alyssa Slocktin of South Dakota and more.
“We advocated our experiences and advocate for veterans on wilderness therapy,” Eric said.
Eric and Addison attended a large gala and took in all the sights of the nation’s capital while in D.C.
Addison is currently in civics, currently learning about politics.
