Why Focus on Activities?
At Surfside, we believe that one of the major precursors for relapse is boredom and an overall inability to deal with life’s challenges. Providing different experiences not only allows our participants to experience new things, but also builds self esteem.
Peer-reviewed research highlights the importance of movement and physical fitness in healing a brain that has been impacted by substance use and mental illness. This informs our emphasis on daily physical movement to heal the whole person.
The Surfside Approach is designed to expose participants to multiple activities that will help them experience the joys of life again. Monday though Friday, the guys will participate in a predetermined group activity (activities vary based on the weather). Each day we offer two options for activities. On weekends, we offer an optional activity (like CrossFit or basketball).
Some of the regular weekly sober activities include: CrossFit, yoga, basketball, longboarding, surfing, pickleball, SUP, fishing, weightlifting, bowling, airsoft/paintball, and so much more. On Saturdays, the guys can head to CrossFit where they can test their fitness against our staff! Other activities will occur on a monthly or bi-monthly basis, such as camping, day-long hikes, climbing, the trampoline park, hatchet throwing and trips to the mountains.
All participants that graduate will work through the 12-steps and be fully integrated into the recovery community, gainfully employed, self-sufficient, independent, and in service to others. Although each person’s journey to recovery is unique, our hope is that our graduates leave us with integrity, self-efficacy, and a greater purpose in life.
Surfside’s recovery approach gives men the opportunity to experience the joy of living. Participants will have the opportunity to take CrossFit and Jiu Jitsu classes, participate in yoga and team sports, and spend time at the beach. During the colder months, our group will continue to participate in multiple activities at our local gym… but we also head into the outdoors.
Our group regularly utilizes our own 11.5 acre piece of land about 30min west of Ventnor. This wooded lot in the pine barrens offers our participants year round spiritual growth – we see this experience as an alternative to traditional spiritual services. Connection with nature encourages a non-religious alternative to build a relationship with a higher power.
These activities are included in the participant’s program fee at Surfside. Participation at Surfside includes access to state of the art camping equipment, skateboards and surfboards, bikes, fishing equipment, paintball equipment and other accessories needed. If a participant owns equipment and would prefer to use his own, we encourage them to bring their gear.