Chrysalis School Montana

Chrysalis Teams Excel in Destination ImagiNation Regionals

2012-03-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

Destination ImagiNation(DI) is a creative problem solving program that allows students in grades K-Universityto work on teams of five to seven people to solve both long term and short termchallenges. DI promotes creative thinking andteam work in students from more than 30 countries.

This past weekend, threeDI teams from Chrysalis competed in the Montana NW Regional Competition to earnthe chance to compete in state tournament slated for March 24 in Manhattan,Montana.

“Disciples of Murphy’sLaw” competed in Challenge B: The Solar Stage. This team was required toresearch solar energy and create a skit and solar powered prototype, which isintegrated into their long term skit. “Disciples” presented a skit about agroup of children stranded at sea when their boat motor is broken and there isno wind to power their sails. Instead they rely on their creativity andintuition to use one of the children’s propeller beanies to capture the powerof the sun and power their boat to get home in time for dinner.

“Blooper Troopers,”competed in Challenge C: Coming Attractions. This team was required to create afour-minute movie trailer featuring a special effect and sound track for theirlong term solution. “Troopers” presented their movie trailer featuring Mexicansingers who visit America, only to be offered the chance to stay and becomefamous singers. Will the singers stay and pursue fame, or return to Mexico?

“Steel Wooly Mammoths,”competed in Challenge D: News to Me. This team was required to bring six currentnews articles and integrate one of them chosen randomly on the spot – with onlya few minutes to work as team before performing. They were also required tointegrate a problem they are only given one minute before they must presenttheir long term solution. “Mammoths” provided a headline about the price of oilpossibly impacting the price of gasoline, while the DI headline was about a boymarrying his dog to ward off tiger attacks. The one-minute problem was thatthey were in the back of a garbage truck. Turns out the price of oil wascausing unrest so the government let tigers out to make quiet those protesting,so the boy married his dog, in order to be better protected from the tigers.

All teams who participatein the tournament also perform an Instant Challenge, which is a secret challengeuntil after Global Finals are held in May 2012. This is because all teams inthe program for each challenge and at the same level are given the same InstantChallenge. Instant Challenges are three- to five-minute challenges that forceteams to work together, think on their feet and solve a problem quickly.

All three Chrysalis teamsscored well in both their Long Term and Instant Challenge. With some practiceand tweaking of props, backdrops, and lines all three teams will all be readyto compete at state.

We’re so very proud ofwhat our Chrysalis DI teams have accomplished. The months of hard work,researching, team building, and script writing have come to fruition. And they did everything all by themselves. Noadults are allowed to help. Way to go, Chrysalis DI teams!

Chrysalis School Montana

2012-02-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

Chrysalis School Montana began more than a decade ago as a small home-based therapeutic program in a remote area of Montana.

Back in 1998, Chrysalis began with a class of eight teenage girls, said founder and co-director Kenny Pannell.

Pannell has a background in community mental health. Sensing a great need, he decided to start the school as an alternative to publicly funded therapeutic care.

"The impetus was to create a level of care that truly took care of kids in a more developed way," Pannell said.

Chrysalis continued to grow over time as more families took advantage of the therapeutic boarding school in the town of Eureka in northwestern Montana. After a couple of years, the program expanded to 10 girls, and over time Chrysalis has grown to a capacity of 36 girls ages 13-18.

Students at Chryalis face challenges such as different kinds of trauma, learning challenges, depression and/or anxiety, adoption issues, eating/body image issues or a sense of entitlement.

Staff at Chrysalis includes the co-directors, teachers, case managers, clinicians, house parents, program staff, adventure staff and business administrative staff. Each student undergoes an individualized program geared to help them progress academically, emotionally and socially at their own rate -- building their self-esteem while helping them learn to build healthy relationships.

Located just a handful of miles from the Canadian border, Chrysalis sits on 65 acres between Koocanusa Reservoir and Carpenter Lake. The therapeutic boarding school is provisionally licensed and registered with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry as a Private Alternative Adolescent Residential Program. Chrysalis is also accredited by the National Independent Private Schools Association.

A student's length of stay depends upon their individual needs (typically between 18 and 24 months). Most Chrysalis graduates adopt health lifestyles and go on to college, Pannell said.

Instilling the Idea of Service

2012-02-23T05:21:00.000-08:00

By Ken Kudick

On the afternoon of January 30, the fire siren rang out inthe small town of Eureka. Someone had called 911 to report smoke coming out ofthe eaves of a house in town. Being a member of the volunteer fire department,I rushed to the scene and was part of the team that went in a put out the fire –just doing what we as a fire department do when we are needed.

It was later that I found out that the family in this housewas in the process of moving out, and that they didn’t have much to begin with.There are three teenage daughters in this family and suddenly much of what theydid have was damaged by the fire.

Part of my job at Chrysalis is to lead Wednesday nightservice activities. During the year we visit residents at our local nursinghome, help package food at the food pantry, do yard cleanup for elderly or disabledfamilies, and much more. I found myself presented with a new opportunity tofill a need in our community. Over the next week several other staff membersand I made announcements that encouraged students to look through theirbelongings and see if there was something they would be willing to donate tothe family whose belongings were damaged in the fire. When I went through allthe different items donated by both students and staff I ended with two pairsof boots, a bottle of shampoo, a large trash liner filled with clothes, and asuitcase full of clothes.

One of the things we hope to instill in the students atChrysalis is a positive idea of service. This might be a new or foreign conceptto some of the students, but it doesn’t take a long time in being here beforethey begin to see what they can accomplish, and the experience of helping thosein need. Students who may have come with a negative attitude towards the idea oftaking time to help someone else suddenly find themselves excited to be goingto play bingo with residents at the nursing home, or writing letters tosoldiers overseas, or raking up leaves and pine needles in an elderly couple'syard. As a staff it is very rewarding to see what and how much the students canaccomplish for this community and the willingness that the students present aswe go into another activity.

Joe, the newest resident of Lake House

2012-01-12T05:58:00.000-08:00

Companion animals often capture the hearts of our students here at Chrysalis, as the girls adopt cats and dogs to keep them company during their stay in our campus residences.

After the loss of longtime Lake House felineresident Felix, a new kitty has takenhis place in the household. Joe was adopted from the Eureka shelter and has stolen the hearts ofboth girls and staff with his HUGEfriendly, outgoing personality. He has joined Lola in the house, and so far, they keep their distance.He's still not quite sure about hiscanine counterparts and stands wary but firm in their presence. So far, we've had noserious mishaps and Joe will soon be going outdoors to explore his new surroundings.

Our Chrysalis campus includes three residences, a multi-use facility called the Chrysalis Center, a cabin, a school building and a clinical building. The Lake House residence stands adjacent to Carpenter Lake, where the girls play hockey or ice skate in the winter and kayak, canoe and swim in summertime.

Waiting for the Snow

2011-12-19T06:26:00.000-08:00

Old man winter is taking his sweet time arrivingin Northwest Montana. The Whitefish Mountain Resort, or should I say The BigMountain (as we longtime locals will always call it), was unable to open onschedule due to lack of snow.

On December 10th the Adventure staff took thegirls up to the mountain to get their season passes and rental gear squaredaway. Somehow just being at the ski resort brought a little joy to everyone'sday. It was fun to stand at the season pass counter and watch how each girl actedover getting her picture taken. Some tried to look their adorable best whileothers tried to keep a straight face while bursting at the seams with laughter.To keep from clogging up the pass line, girls were sent to our prep areawithout seeing their passes first....absolute torture for some! As one of ourLevel 3 students made her way into the prep area with 36 passes hanging aroundher neck a feeding frenzy started; girls were eager to see and hold their passfor the first time of the season!

Giddiness followed as they went from onefriend to the next comparing pictures. Somehow if felt like an accomplishmentto wear such a prized item -- like a gold medal at the winter games. Iunderstand, because every season I feel the same way. Now, If only the heavenswould open up and grace us with an abundance of deep light powder. Pray forsnow!

Post from Adventure Coordinator Julie Hughes

Freezer Burn Race

2011-12-16T11:02:00.000-08:00

To continue in our Chrysalis road race adventures, fivestudents and two staff trained and completed the Freezer Burn in Missoula thefirst weekend of December. The group drove to Missoula the evening before,enjoying dinner out and a brief tour of the town and university. We woke up thenext morning pleasantly surprised to fine a fresh layer of snow on the ground.After all, this wasn’t called Freezer Burn for nothing. December in Montana?You never know what you may get – rain, snow, sleet, hail or sunshine.

The race was 10 miles long with a mountain view the wholetime. The girls did an excellent job,each completing the entire course. After the race we enjoyed hot cider, coffeeand other treats by the warmth of a huge bonfire. I think it’s safe to say thata good time was had by all and we hope to participate again next year!

Carrie Peters, Case Manager and running coach

2011 Memories: Christmas Message from the Pannells

2011-12-14T05:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Chrysalis friends and family,

We feel so fortunate to write once again about the joysand blessings of another year during this Christmas season 2011. Our springbegan with an international trip to Morocco with 9 girls and 5 parents. Thetrip featured adventure in the form of a four day trek across the Sahara (withcamels), two long days of touring across the Atlas Mountains, four days ofservice work at a youth shelter in Marrakesh, and plenty of cultural immersionalong the way. If you’ve never seen stars at midnight from the desert, neverbargained with the vendors in a world class market reminiscent of ancient NorthAfrica, or never smelled the gentle aroma of a string of camels, your life issadly incomplete.

Our runners were fantastic once again this year. About 12girls ran the Bloomsday 12K Run last spring along with 50,000 other participants. One of our girls broke the onehour barrier that separates great runners from the rest of us. It was a weekendfull of fun and excitement, as always. Five strong girls trained for and completed the Two BearHalf Marathon in Whitefish in early September, our first entree into the worldof truly long distance running. And, a slightly different group of five bravegirls and two staff trained for our second annual “Freezer Burn” race, a 10 milerun in 28 degree temperatures and snow this past weekend in Missoula. It seemedlike such a good idea in September. The seven participants felt proud,accomplished, and somewhat frosted at the end of the race.

The summer of 2011 was as full and rich as it gets, fromthe grandeur of Lewis and Clark’s Upper Missouri River to the great outdoors ofnorthwest Montana and Alberta. Aided by strong support from parents and staff,our students once again tamed the trails around Bowman Lake in far northwestGlacier National Park. The trail work was formidable, and the hiking achallenge due to uncommonly cold and wet weather, but our girls prevailed inthe end. We did a service project for the U.S. Forest Service in our local TenLakes Scenic Area in September, and otherwise completed about 1,350 total hoursof service work in and around the Tobacco Valley in 2011.

Chrysalis girls bikedaround much of Koocanusa Lake with a handful of family members over MemorialDay weekend, and another group camped and hiked in Alberta’s Waterton NationalPark with parents and a sibling over Labor Day weekend. A group of six girlsand two staff backpacked in the Mount Henry area just west of Eureka inmid-September to complete our overnight adventure trips for the year. We boatedand sailed on Flathead Lake most Saturday afternoons across the summer, perusual. A summer full of rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, horsebackriding, swimming and boating left them all, inevitably, fit, unwound, confidentand ready for the mental rigors of school.

We completed a renovation on our previous school buildingthis past year, which is beautifully transformed into a lovely new clinicalspace that houses all our therapists, and has become the venue for a variety ofgroups and meetings each week.

Our soccer team overcame a slow start again thisyear, but (as usual) finished very strong in October. The group of girlsmatured enormously across the season; each individual on the team seemed to beinvolved in a parallel growth process, which has clearly become the norm forour soccer players. It was a joy to behold. We played each of our usual rivalstwice, and we were excited to be able to play our local Eureka coed team acouple of times again this year. It was a soccer season that made us proud inthe best sense of the word.

We began a new era of Mother-daughter and Father-daughterretreats this past year to insure that our parents are experiencing some of thesame first-rate adventure that our students enjoy every season. Mary andseveral of our clinical staff led the first retreat with a group of Mothers inearly February, set at the Belton Chalet in West Glacier, just outside theentrance to Glacier National Park. Moms and daughters did some XC skiing andsnowshoeing during the day, and then did some gentle relationship work eachevening.

Fathers got their chance in late June when 14 dads anddaughters journeyed to the Missouri River in central Montana to launch ourfirst Father-daughter canoe trip. We followed the Lewis and Clark route forthree days, complete with short day hikes and a bit of history. Each retreatfeatured great adventure and focused time each day for critical family work ledby members of our clinical team. We can’t imagine a better way to bring parentsand their kids back together again.

Thanksgiving, as always, made all the extraordinarypreparation quite worth it. Family members traveled from the ends of the earthlast month, gathered together, and, as always, forged new relationships born ofa magical shared experience. The Chrysalis Thanksgiving tradition continues toset the standard for heart-warming holiday cheer, deep gratitude, and cozyconnection every November.

We extend our most sincere “thank you” to all whojourneyed to NW Montana this year to join Chrysalis, whether for an adventuretrip or for a more sedate family gathering. We wish for each of you, no matterwhat your faith or belief might be, a holiday season full of warm memories,cherished friends, beloved family, and unwavering hope. God bless you each one.

With love at Christmas, Mary and Kenny

Christmas at Chrysalis

2011-12-08T12:59:00.001-08:00

We're playing Christmas music in our student houses here at Chrysalis as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Winter brings unique opportunities for our girls to participate in activities like snowboarding and skiing. But physical activities are just one aspect of what we do here in Eureka, Montana. We are committed to helping the teenage girls develop by learning how to make healthy choices, build their self-esteem, support each other and recognize their progress.

While it can sometimes be difficult for the girls to be away from their hometowns during the holidays, we provide plenty of activities that they can enjoy in this nurturing environment. Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving at Chrysalis

2011-11-29T07:41:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving is one of the most festive times of the yearat Chrysalis. Food, family,football, games and music all contribute to this fun weekend. The holiday provides families the opportunityto spend precious time with their daughters, as well as meet with theirdaughter's teachers and the clinical staff.

This year, the weekend officially kicked off whenfamilies gathered at the Chrysalis Center on Wednesday evening for a meet and greet. Families meteach other and Chrysalis staff, and also ate delicious treats. Thanksgiving Day involved lots of good smellsfrom the kitchen throughout the day, as well as football games, puzzles, family time, and,of course, the Thanksgiving feast!

Afteran incredible dinner, numerous students and staffers shared their musicaltalents, and everyone was invited to share whatthey were grateful for this Thanksgiving. It was a very special time, and a number of parents said that it was thebest Thanksgiving they ever experienced.

What a great holiday! We have many reasons to be thankful here at Chrysalis!

Arts Opportunities at Chrysalis

2011-11-14T13:39:00.001-08:00

This fall, Chrysalis has been offering multiple artsopportunities for students, including dance and music classes. These classes provide space, time, andinstruction for girls to learn new skills or further develop existing skills.

Music opportunities include piano lessons and guitarlessons, as well as a general class that gives students time to practice anyinstrument and learn the elements of songwriting.

Dance opportunities include multiple class offerings eachweek where students learn dance techniques such as ballet, modern, jazz, andhip-hop.

Chrysalis will hold a talent show in early December. Whenever Chrysalis has a talent show, the students enjoy performingand appreciating the talents of their peers. This year will be no exception!

2011 Chrysalis Soccer Season

2011-11-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

Guest post from Chrysalis Soccer Coach Carrie Peters:

The 2011 Chrysalis Soccer season was a season of growth and improvement.

With 24 players on the team, we had a wide variety ofexperience and skill. Our team captains were all experienced Chrysalis soccerplayers who lead the team on and off the field. We had several students who hadnever played soccer before, but they developed a general knowledge of the game andenjoyed being involved with a team.

Each week we had a team dinner after practice and the girls seemedto enjoy the camaraderie. We won our first game of the season at the end-of-the-year tournament, beating one of our long-time rivals. The girls screamed andcheered with joy; they were so proud of themselves and as the coach I was alsoproud of them. We concluded our season with a banquet, complete with awards and a viewing of the movie "Bend It Like Beckham" at the request of the students.

Well done, Chrysalis soccergirls!

Adventure travel

2011-10-11T14:07:00.000-07:00

Over the years, groups from Chrysalis have taken international adventure trips to locations across the globe. These optional trips help our girls develop a greater awareness and appreciation of other cultures as they perform service work in places like schools, orphanages and parks. Students have the option of earning academic credit for participating in these foreign expeditions.

We've taken European trips over the years to Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland and Ireland. Other adventure trips have been to Peru, Costa Rica, Belize, Vietnam, Mexico and Tanzania.

What's your favorite memory of a Chrysalis international adventure? We'd love to hear your comments.

Association for Experiential Education

2011-10-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

Chrysalis is a member of the Association for Experiential Education, a nonprofit professional organization that works to further experiential education. AEE was founded in the seventies and now has more than 1,500 members in 35 countries worldwide, according to AEE.

AEE has eight regions in North America and Chrysalis is part of the Northwest Region. The organization supports program like Chrysalis with research/evaluation resources, professional assistance, publications, and events like regional and international conferences.

Learn more about AEE here. The site for the Northwest Region is located here.

Soccer at Chrysalis

2011-10-03T14:45:00.000-07:00

Athletics are an important part of the Chrysalis experience. Our team travels to play other female teams in places like Whitefish, Montana.

Soccer teaches Chrysalis students important lessons like the value of teamwork and the value of getting better at something through practice. The sport helps the girls bond and stimulates their communication skills as they talk to each other on the field and during practice.

Chrysalis students come from different states and different backgrounds, but on the soccer field they focus on a single mission: working together to become the best team they can be.

Chrysalis presence on social networks

2011-09-29T07:49:00.000-07:00

Keep up with the latest developments at Chrysalis School by connecting with us on social networks.

Our Facebook page includes photos albums of the Chrysalis campus, adventures trips and international service work. We encourage you to post comments on our wall about your Chrysalis experience.

We use our Twitter feed to tweet about things like our trip to the Canmore Folk Music Festival and our service work at Glacier National Park.

Chrysalis has a full capacity of 36 students this semester and we're looking forward to telling you about our students' achievements and adventures throughout the year.

Family style living

2011-09-27T13:18:00.000-07:00

Students at Chrysalis School live family style in one of three buildings on our campus. Living with a dozen other teens, the students learn responsibility by performing daily chores, completing home work in different academic subjects and keeping physically fit.

Each student confronts their personal obstacles that have made it difficult for them to excel in a traditional educational setting. They undergo individualized counseling, working with counselors and in group or family counseling sessions.

Over the years, hundreds of Chrysalis students have learned how to cope with their problems, improve interpersonal communication and resolve conflicts. They learn self-discipline and self-awareness.

NATSAP membership

2011-09-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Our school is a full member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP).

NATSAP was founded in 1999 to serve as a nationwide resource to assist programs that work with young people who are facing emotional and behavioral challenges, according to NATSAP. The organizations is governed by a volunteer board of directors that's composed of representatives from NATSAP organizations.

To be a NATSAP member, a program must be licensed by the appropriate state agency or accredited by a nationally recognized behavioral health accreditation agency. In addition, all NATSAP members must be overseen by a qualified clinician, the NATSAP site says.

NATSAP publishes an annual directory of member schools to inform families, professionals and programs about the many alternative treatment settings available in the United States.

Student schedules

2011-09-19T06:35:00.000-07:00

Students at Chrysalis School have plenty to keep them busy during the school year.

Their typical day begins with a morning workout, followed by breakfast chores. Then comes seven hours of school. Academic subjects include English, mathematics, foreign languages, art, physical education and music.

Physical fitness is an important part of the Chrysalis experience. Students spend an hour a day in different fitness activities.

"We do a lot of student activities," said Chrysalis founder Kenny Pannell. "We mountain bike and we ride horses and we do rock climbing and we white water raft and we canoe."

Evenings at Chrysalis can include group therapy, free time and homework.

In the summer, Chrysalis students spend time with all kinds of activities such as dance, art and service projects.

A Simpler Life

2011-09-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

Students at Chrysalis School experience a simpler lifestyle without some of the technologies that can often distract them at home. The beautiful, remote setting of northwestern Montana is a far cry from the large cities where many of the students have been raised.

Instead of talking on cellphones or playing video games, Chrysalis students spend their time studying different subjects, undergoing individual and group therapy sessions and learning how to overcome personal obstacles.

Chrysalis location

2011-09-14T08:23:00.000-07:00

Located a handful of miles from the Canadian border, Chrysalis is a therapeutic boarding school in northwestern Montana.

Our 65-acre campus includes student housing, a gym/office complex, soccer fields, tennis courts and volleyball courts. We also have areas where our students can ride horses.

We are located in a gorgeous setting that's about five hours northeast of Spokane, Washington and five hours south of Calgary, British Columbia.

Chrysalis enrolls teenage girls from across the United States, with about half of our students coming from the West.

Chrysalis program description

2011-09-13T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here at Chrysalis School, we help our students grow and develop in a healthy, safe environment. Our system of instruction helps the teenage girls make positive choices and they increase in maturity and self-esteem.

The Chrysalis experience is individualized. No two of the hundreds of girls who have studied here have had the exact same experience. Each student undergoes a unique process according to their needs and learns at their own pace.

Our comprehensive approach to treatment includes individual therapy, group family and family therapy.

Students don't have a defined length of stay at Chrysalis. The typical stay is 1.5 to 2 years. We expect them to graduate from our program at the end of their time here in Eureka, Montana.

Accredited with NIPSA

2011-09-12T06:07:00.000-07:00

Chrysalis is one of only four schools in the state of Montana that are accredited with the National Independent Private Schools Association, according to NIPSA .

NIPSA accreditation involves school data, organizational structure, curriculum, staff, activities and more.

There are NIPSA-affiliated schools in 19 states from Alabama to Wisconsin. The organization abides by a code of ethics and has an external team of evaluators that affirm the professionalism of member schools.

Chrysalis is proud to be accredited by NIPSA. Other accredited Montana schools are the Monarch School in Heron, Montana; Montana Academy in Marion, Montana and Turning Winds Academic Institute in Troy, Montana.

Chrysalis Academics

2011-09-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

Academics at Chrysalis School are designed to help teenage girls who have struggled in traditional academic settings such as public schools.

We employ state-certified high school teachers, as well as several tutors. Students study subjects such as English, history and mathematics, and they're also expected to get active in extracurricular activities such as athletics, music and service projects.

Thirty-six students started the fall semester here in Eureka, Montana. The Chrysalis experience is meant to prepare girls for the rigors of college academics. Students at Chrysalis learn skills like time management and teamwork.

Getting families involved

2011-09-01T05:24:00.000-07:00

Families play an essential role in our work here at Chrysalis School. Our clinical staff works closely with both parents and students as part of the therapeutic environment. We communicate with families through Skype or phone calls and encourage carefully planned visitation both on and off campus.

Chrysalis families are also encouraged to participate in our travel program. We take service project trips to places like Glacier National Park and also offer an optional overseas trip where students can learn about other cultures.

We encourage parents to write a weekly letter to the Chrysalis student as part of our goal to strengthen family relationships. Family therapy sessions take place here at Chrysalis, including multi-family sessions that are conducted each Thanksgiving.

Chrysalis Continues Glacier Tradition

2011-08-31T08:46:00.000-07:00

This summer, nearly 60 travelers from Chrysalis School renewed a tradition of community service at Glacier National Park.

Chrysalis, a therapeutic boarding school, is located in northwestern Montana near the Canadian border. The school is about 35 miles from Glacier National Park, which features more than 700 miles of trails set among mountains, meadows, forests and lakes.

Thirty-two Chrysalis students took part in the summer service project at Glacier, accompanied by school staffers and family members. Their trip marked the 12th consecutive year that Chrysalis students have journeyed to Glacier for a service project, according to Chrysalis founder Kenny Pannell.

During the weeklong Glacier trip, the Chrysalis group built three trail turnpikes (a total of 35 feet). The school volunteers also performed 3,700 feet of tread improvement, 430 feet of check and fill, 200 feet of lateral drain construction, 320 feet of lateral repair, 375 feet of drain maintenance, 80 feet of trail realignment, 12 feet of log retaining wall and 350 feet of hand brushing, according to Corey Shea, a Glacier trails foreman.

Building a trail turnpike involves felling a tree, constructing a long log box (10 to 20 feet) along the damaged section of the trail, and then filling the sections with about 12 inches of rock and gravel.

"We've built dozens of those turnpikes over the years. It's really hard, heavy, difficult work," Pannell said. "Our students discover that they can do things they never thought they could do before."

Another sweaty endeavor for the Chrysalis students involved using a Pulaski trail tool for trail "grubbing," or using "loppers" to cut back branches and undergrowth in order to widen the trail.

"Girls who sometimes have difficulty focusing their attention in one direction were content breathing slowly the fresh air and observing the stillness of the forest," said Chrysalis therapist Sarah Jones. "I found myself overwhelmed with amazement at our students - working for hours on end, digging drains, chopping roots the size of tree trunks, and lifting tools that weighed almost as much as they did.

"Many of the girls worked with intensity and focus, without complaining. In the end, the sense of accomplishment for their efforts could be seen in their beaming, mud-covered smiles."

Chrysalis students developed a deep appreciation for the benefits of hard work there in Glacier. Many of the students grew up in urban areas and are unaccustomed to spending that much time in such a setting.

"Trail work physically and mentally challenges teenagers to a level that is hard to replicate outside of service trips such as this," said Jeremy Meyer, an adventure staffer at Chrysalis.

"I work year-round with the girls here at Chrysalis and the time that I see most of them make the largest leap in their personal growth of confidence, ego strength and personal strength is when they walk into a work site and see a washed out trail that's muddy and murky and three days later see a 15- or 20-foot turnpike."

Despite the sweat, the Glacier work resonates with Chrysalis students long after graduation. In fact, more Chrysalis graduates return for the Glacier trip than any other school trip or activity.

Visit Chrysalis School to learn how the Chrysalis experience serves as building blocks toward a higher education.

Fall Semester begins today

2011-08-30T05:32:00.000-07:00

Today marks the start of the fall semester here at Chrysalis School. We're excited to have the girls starting their year of academics, therapy and activities here after a summer filled with Chrysalis activities.

We've got our full capacity of 36 students this year. Stay tuned to this blog for updates throughout the school year.

Two, One, Zero...

2011-08-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

The fall semester starts Tuesday at Chrysalis School. We're excited to have the girls back here in Eureka, Montana!

Many of the Chrysalis students have participated in summer adventure activities like biking, horseback riding, hiking and service projects. We're proud of the tradition of community service here at Chrysalis; we'll strive to continue that legacy of teaching our students how to give back to others.

Check this blog often for updates about the new school year.

Another Perspective on the Glacier Trip

2011-08-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

Nearly 60 Chrysalis volunteers recently visited Glacier National Park for a week-long service project.

Staffer Ken Kudick offered the following thoughts on the Glacier trip.

"Our trip to Glacier National Park is one of the most exciting times of our Chrysalis year. At first many of our students aren't excited about the idea of doing trailwork, but by the end of the week they are telling stories and bragging about the rocks and stumps they've moved, the turnpikes they've made, and blisters they've earned. The scenery, the work they've done, and experiences they've had will stay with them the rest of their lives."

The fall semester of school starts Tuesday at Chrysalis, the therapeutic boarding school for teenage girls. Chrysalis in located northern Montana near the Canadian border.

Chrysalis Students return for Service at Glacier National Park

2011-08-24T06:47:00.000-07:00

Some 60 travelers from Chrysalis School journeyed this summer to Glacier National Park to participate in a service project that's become a Chrysalis tradition over the past decade-plus.

"As I started to set out my clothing into piles of work, hiking and camp clothing I had a chance to reflect back on my previous three trips to Glacier National Park with Chrysalis and what I looked forward to the most in this year my fourth trip," said Jeremy Meyer, a member of the adventure staff at Chrysalis. "There is always the abundance of food to look forward to, but I really think why I keep going back is to see our students growing in a way that is hard to achieve elsewhere.

"Trail work physically and mentally challenges teenagers to a level that is hard to replicate outside of service trips such as this. I work year-round with the girls here at Chrysalis and the time that I see most of them make the largest leap in their personal growth of confidence, ego strength and personal strength is when they walk into a work site and see a washed out trail, muddy and murky and three days later see a fifteen or twenty foot turnpike.

"The sense of accomplishment is even still great for me after four years. I always seem to walk away amazed as to how much we can get accomplished in just three or four days. But to see the smile of triumph on our students' faces and to come back to campus and see them brighter, happier and walking taller is what the trip to Glacier is truly about to me."

One Week and Counting...

2011-08-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

Sports practices are starting up here at Chrysalis as we approach the start of school. We'll have a full capacity of 36 students when we start the fall semester next Tuesday.

Students recently participated in an adventure weekend that involved hiking, as well as swimming and other water activities.

International Travel

2011-08-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

Once each year, students from Chrysalis School can choose to take part in an optional international trip.

These trips are designed to allow the girls to explore destinations across the globe, while developing an appreciation for other cultures. Most of the trips involve a service component such as working at a school, park or orphanage.

Chrysalis students can even have the option to earn academic credit when participating on these overseas trips. Past trips have been to countries including England, France, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Costa Rica, Peru, Belize, Vietnam and Tanzania.

Our Hometown: Eureka, Montana

2011-08-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

Chrysalis is located here in Eureka, Montana. Eureka is a small town about five miles south of the Canadian border; it's a remote, beautiful setting that lends itself perfectly to the therapy and care we provide here.

Eureka hosts popular annual events like Rendezvous Days, the Lincoln County Fair, SalmonFest and the Amish Auction.

In 2009, Eureka had a population of 998 residents, according to The Eureka Chamber of Commerce. The town is at an elevation of 2,680 feet and the economy centers around timber, tourism and ranching.

Chrysalis students take advantage of this gorgeous setting with activities like backpacking, rock climbing, horseback riding and boating.

Fall Semester is Fast Approaching

2011-08-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

The fall semester here at Chrysalis begins on August 30.

Thirty-six teenage girls will attend the therapeutic boarding school in Eureka, Montana; that represents the full capacity of the school.

Students will live family style in one of three homes and have the opportunity to take part in adventure travel and service projects. A typical stay at Chrysalis is 18 to 24 months.

Making a Difference in Eureka, Montana

2011-08-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

For more than a decade, Chrysalis School has helped girls overcome their personal challenges. This therapeutic boarding school now hosts students from across the United States, with about half coming from the Western half of the country.

Chrysalis is based in Eureka, just five miles from the Canadian border. The 65-acre school originally began as a home-based program with about eight girls. Today the school has a capacity of 36 students, according to founder and co-director Kenny Pannell.

Staff at Chrysalis includes the co-directors, teachers, case managers, clinicians, adventure staff, house parents and business office personnel.

Classes at Chrysalis include English, mathematics, foreign languages, art, physical education and music. Another emphasis is physical fitness, with the girls taking part in activities like tennis and soccer. The students also take part in adventure activities like horseback riding and mountain biking.

Each year, the girls can participate in an optional international trip. Past trips have been to countries including Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy, France, England, Costa Rica, and Vietnam.

Chrysalis Adventure Follows in the Footsteps of Lewis and Clark

2011-08-15T13:07:00.000-07:00

Five-Day Canoe Trip Serves as Father/Daughter Bonding Experience

EUREKA, MT -- More than 30 travelers from Chrysalis School recently retraced 56 miles of the historic expedition once made by famed explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.

In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean while exploring the uncharted West. Fourteen Chrysalis students, their fathers and a handful of school staffers took part in a summer canoe trip that retraced part of the famous expedition.

Their water adventure began some eight hours from Chrysalis, the therapeutic boarding school in northwestern Montana. The Chrysalis group camped four nights along the Upper Missouri River, putting in at Coal Banks Landing, which is located about an hour east of Great Falls, Montana.

"I feel like the father/daughter canoe trip was an adventure with deeper meaning," said Adventure Coordinator Julie Hughes. "I enjoyed watching fathers and daughters hold hands around the campfire, working together to get down the river and help one another around camp. This trip made me appreciate my father more than ever, even though he was 700 miles away."

Chrysalis, located on a 65-acre campus near the Canadian border, is designed for girls who have struggled in traditional academic settings.

Founded in 1998, Chrysalis provides individualized care and therapy for girls ages 13-18. Students learn to recover from different types of trauma and family difficulties.

Chrysalis hosts students from across the U.S. each year. Education at Chrysalis includes traditional academic subjects, as well as lessons in coping with challenges, personal accountability, effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Outdoor adventures like the Lewis and Clark canoe trip are part of the school's initiative to teach girls how to live an active, healthy life. Other trips have involved backpacking, snowboarding and horseback riding.

Carrie Peters, a Chrysalis staff member, describes the Lewis and Clark trip as an experience the fathers and daughters won't ever forget.

"The father/daughter canoe trip was different than our other adventure trips," said Peters, a member of the Adventure Staff. "It was encouraging and exciting to see the girls be themselves around their fathers. We had girls teaching their dads how to set up tents, how to play fun teenage games and even how to be comfortable talking about difficult topics. The camaraderie that was built over just a few days was wonderful."

With a capacity of 36 girls, Chrysalis has helped hundreds of girls overcome their personal obstacles since its founding.

"The impetus was to create a level of care that truly took care of kids in a more developed way," said founder Kenny Pannell. "Our kids do very well. Most of them go off to college following their graduation from Chrysalis."