Journey through the wilds: An autoethnography of the Camp Trapping experience.

Using an autoethnographic method the author explores key issues in his experience working at Camp Trapping, a wilderness based group care programme for male young offenders situated in central British Columbia. Personal experiences, as well as interview quotes from staff members and adult graduates of the programme, are used to highlight social, political and practice aspects of working in such a setting. Key concepts reflected upon are the presence or absence of continual compassionate care, factors associated with youth crime, masculinity, wilderness programming, group care settings, and the punitive turn in social welfare and corrections approaches in Canada. These concepts are looked at in a broad social context as well as how programme delivery is affected on a personal level. The author asserts that Camp Trapping provides marginalized youth a unique experience that encourages pro-social personal development. The Camp Trapping experience also contributes to the author's personal and professional development. --P. ii.