"Everybody is a genius.."

"..but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its entire life believing it is stupid"
- Albert Einstein

About Us

Activities with support & qualified staff Waterford | Dublin | Ireland

We are inspired by the work of Jesus Christ among disadvantaged people when He walked the earth. His way of treating each person with utmost dignity is foundational to our approach. The academy is open to young people from any religious background.

The staff at Comeragh Wilderness Academy hold to the Christian faith and Anabaptist tradition. We are part of Dunmore East Christian Fellowship; visit www.anabaptistireland.org for more information. Because of our faith, we want to effectively share the beauty and joy of relationships and the outdoors with as many as we can. This doesn’t mean that we are aiming to proselytise but simply to live out our faith in a practical way.

Learn More!

objectives

1.
Share the joy of the outdoors.
2.
Encourage each young person to develop new skills.
3.
Help each young person experience a positive relationship with adults.
4.
Create a safe environment where healthy peer relationships can be discovered.
5.
Provide stepping stones in education.

funding

Comeragh Wilderness Academy is a charity, and can offer this therapeutic academic programme only because of the generosity of many people.

Your donation makes it possible for young people, some who are extremely disadvantaged, to have hope of a successful future.

The Revenue Commissioners have granted the camp charitable status, with a reference number of CHY18618.

We are grateful for the support received from Waterford Leader Partnership for outdoor gear. In our local village of Rathgormack, Comeragh Stores raises funds for Comeragh Wilderness Academy through their shop and bakery. They make the best scones in Co. Waterford so please come and try them! Their Facebook link is here.

About The Academy

Comeragh Wilderness Academy was founded on the foot of its predecessor Comeragh Wilderness Camp. Comeragh Wilderness Camp was developed by a Board of Directors and Mr. Wesley Sensening in 2008. The camp is situated in Rathgormack, County Waterford in the shadow of the inviting Comeragh Mountains.

Comeragh Wilderness Academy staff walking mountain path

Comeragh Wilderness Academy staff at lake

Our Background

For the first few years, the camp operated by providing outdoor activities for various youth projects in County Waterford. These activities included hiking, campfire cooking, orienteering, and shelter construction. This type of activity centre was well received and gave a large number of youth an opportunity to experience simple, yet engaging, activities in the outdoors. This time helped to build experience and connections with local youth projects.

Comeragh Wilderness Academy Welcome sign

Our Vision

The fundamental vision, however, was to start a programme using the Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping (WRTC) model which was aimed at helping children who were having difficulties in their home and school lives. This phase began in November of 2012 and due to new registration requirements led to the establishment of Comeragh Wilderness Academy boarding school in early 2023.

Comeragh Wilderness Academy team up mountain

A New Direction

In the establishment of Comeragh Wilderness Academy boarding school we are one of the first schools of its kind to use the Wilderness Road Therapeutic Camping model which has been in widespread use throughout the United States for over 70 years.

This innovative approach to education and care has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in guiding young men, who have faced challenges in conventional educational settings, back on the path to a fulfilling and successful life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of boys are enrolled in the school? What age?

Is this a summer camp?

How much time does a boy typically spend at camp?

There is no set length of time for a young man to be at the academy. The duration depends entirely on each person’s individual needs. Eighteen months is the average length of stay for most lads, interspersed with a five-day weekend home visit every six weeks. CWA is not an alternative to long-term residential care because our goal is always to re-establish the young person’s relationships with his home and community. The change that CWA seeks to achieve with young people takes time and our aim is to bring about lasting change.

How do you decide when a boy is ready to return home?

Will my child be losing time in his education?

On average, a youth’s rate of learning at the academy will surpass his contemporaries in formal education. CWA’s education is holistic and non-formal and meets the minimum standard of education for Children Receiving Education in Places other than Recognised Schools under Section 14 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. Rather than reproduce the conventional school environment we aim to build a positive attitude toward academics by teaching life-wide education. CWA’s highest goal is to help a young person enjoy learning.

How much does it cost to have my son go through the programme?

We do require that each family be able to contribute an individually set monthly amount based on household income toward the expense of the programme. There are significant costs incurred by the programme operations, facilities, and staff; however, because of contributions we receive from caring people and organisations, we are able to accept anyone into the programme regardless of their financial ability.

Do you have programmes for girls?

Is this a religious training programme?

Are religious activities required of young people?

What if my son doesn’t want to come?

To be able to grow and learn new skills at the academy, each boy needs to be personally committed to completing the programme. We will make every effort to communicate accurately the benefits and challenges of academy life to each young person. If a boy is not interested in enrolment after having seen the campsite and chatting with other campers, his choice will be respected and any alternatives will be pursued.

What does the programme require from parents?

Most importantly, we require personal initiative from the parent(s), to relate and build a healthy relationship with their son. This involves a willingness to set personal goals and address their own parenting needs. This also includes regular and on-going communication with your child while he is at CWA. Transportation to and from the academy for each home visit is necessary every six weeks. A financial contribution each month toward the cost of the programme is also required.

Does this kind of programme actually help young people change?

How can I communicate with my son while he is at camp?

Are camp staff Garda vetted?

How can I help?

What does the enrolment process include?

You can contact us by email, web form, or phone. Since we value personal connection, we usually follow up with a phone call. There are several steps to the formal enrolment process.

Application
We will post you an application form, and the parent/guardian fills the form and returns it. This is not a commitment from either party, although it places you in the waiting list for a place in the academy. When we receive the application, we will be in contact to discuss your situation and advise of an approximate time of the next opening.

Home Interview
Our family support worker will visit your family to explain the academy programme in detail and learn about the challenges you are facing. If you still feel the academy is a good option and the child fits our enrolment criteria, we proceed to the next step.

Pre-Placement Visit to Camp
A short time before there is an opening available, each young person and family will visit the academy, and decide whether it is the best option for meeting your family’s needs. Each person involved must be in agreement in order for enrolment to proceed, and the young person’s voice will be taken seriously.

Placement
A young person usually joins the group a week or two after the pre-placement visit.

Enrolment Process
If you would like to begin the enrolment process please click here.

"By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." – Proverbs 24:4