Programs> Locations Map> Eckerd Academy> Eckerd Academy at Brooksville
Help and Hope for Troubled Teens
at Eckerd Academy at Brooksville
Brooksville, FL
Eckerd Academy at Brooksville is a positive, nurturing outdoor residential treatment program for boys and girls ages 10 to 17 who have difficulty functioning in social, family and school environments.
Founded in 1968 as E-How-Kee (meaning “their open door” in the Muskokee Indian language),
Eckerd
Academy
at Brooksville was Florida’s first private outdoor therapeutic program for troubled teens.
Opening the door
to a brighter future Since 1968,
Eckerd
Academy
at Brooksville has helpedthousands of kids leave their troubled pasts behind and open the door to brighter futures.
Serves boys and girls: 10-17
Separate boys and girls groups
Average age at admission: 15
60 beds: 6 groups of 10 youths
1 to 3 counseling staff-to-child ratio
Eckerd
Academy
at Brooksville combines fully accredited education with group and individual counseling, adventure programs and relationship and communication-building skills in a therapeutic outdoor setting. Individual treatment and education plans address special needs, while youths live, learn and grow in family-like small groups. Formerly troubled teens learn to build self-confidence, develop respect for self and others, accept personal responsibility and make good decisions.
Unique environment for positive change In a serene setting,
Eckerd
Academy
at Brooksville is located on 800 beautiful wooded acres near the town of Brooksville, FL, just 45 minutes north of Tampa. The outdoor therapeutic program focuses on building self-confidence, developing respect for others, accepting personal responsibility and making good decisions.
Program activities
Hiking and camping
Alpine Tower
Challenge courses
Swimming and fishing
Canoe trips
Environmental conservation efforts
Community involvement
Computer lab/classroom
Certifications & Accreditations
Florida Department of Education
Southern Association of Colleges & Schools, Secondary Commission – Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI)
Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children, Inc. (COA)
National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP)
National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Camps (NATWC)
Florida Department of Children and Families Residential Level II and Outpatient Treatment Services
Florida Department of Children and Families Certificate of License Residential Child Care Agency
Refer a Struggling Teenager To EYA
Admission staff members are available to answer your questions and assist with financial information or our admission criteria and processes. To speak with someone during business hours (8 - 7 p.m. EST, M - F), call toll free 800-914-3937. After business hours, please leave a message or fill out a contact form .
Founded in 1968 as E-How-Kee, meaning "Their Open Door" in the Muskokee Indian language. Letter from a parent “It's been a long road to get to where we are today, and without your help, I'm not sure we would have made it...He has shown me just what he has learned about life experiences, and his maturity level is something I hadn't seen before his visit with you folks at the camp...I thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving my son back to me. The son I knew was in there somewhere, I just couldn't find him. Thank you and God bless all of you every day.”
-- Mother of Brooksville graduate
Ted Ricca, Brooksville graduate, 1996
“When I first got to camp, I had no self-confidence and I was really a pain. I wouldn’t cooperate or participate. But my peers and [counselors] sat me down and made me really look inside myself…I wish more kids could experience camp. It teaches you to make better decisions and always take the higher road.”
