Realms of Character is a refreshing alternative to traditional group therapy, social-emotional learning, and character development curricula. This isn’t just a program. It’s an adventure.

Realms of Character is designed for 36 teens in grades 6-9 to form six groups of six participants.

Realms of Character is a character development, group therapy, and team building experience adapted from a thoughtfully curated selection of evidence-based models to assist adolescents with understanding themselves and improving their relationships with others. These include, but are not limited to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the Six Pillars of Character, Jungian Character Archetypes, Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), emotional and social intelligence theory (EQ and SQ), the Five Love Languages, common cognitive biases, the nine Biblical spiritual fruit, vocational aspirations,  and other reflective and interactive tools.

These frameworks were used to modify or, in most cases, custom build activities that reinforce the core philosophy and objective.

We believe character development is a journey, not a destination.

We’ve gamified this journey using a fantasy-adventure inspired theme and a quest-based framework that normalizes self-reflection, builds character mastery, strengthens real-world decision making, and challenges self-labeling culture. We reinforce the importance of exploring the complexities of being a developing adolescent -one who learns from their shortcomings to grow in character, improve relationships, and shape the ever-evolving story of self.

Realms of Character offers a revolutionized blend of group therapy, social-emotional learning, and character development programming. The aim is to immerse adolescents in memorable, skills building activities rooted in therapeutic and educational frameworks. The goal is character mastery, with emotional intelligence, self-assessment and accountability, intrapersonal and interpersonal insight, and intentional decision-making habits. The objective is the journey!

Realms of Character focuses on nine character traits (called realms):

1. Self-Assessment
2. Integrity
3. Respect
4. Responsibility
5. Morals
6. Compassion
7. Togetherness
8. Adaptability
9. Self-Discipline 

There are six core, three root, and one hidden realm which are all explored throughout the various activities (called quests).

Participants are engaged in individual and group activities, called quests, which were designed for six groups of six.

Quests are labeled by the amount of time and resources required: 

• innerQuests 
• miniQuests 
• mezzoQuests 
• megaQuests

A cast of twenty four (24) hand-drawn teenage characters (see image below), each representing various character traits, challenges, and experiences of an inner city adolescent of color, are called the Quaestors of the Realms. Teens will learn a quaestor is someone who inquires. 

Each quaestor has a standard-size collector/trading card with images and tidbits in which teens may see themselves represented, such as character traits, strengths, areas of growth, MBTI-style tendencies, love languages, cognitive biases, vocational aspirations, and so much more. Participants will trade and collect all 24 character collector cards throughout the program.

In addition to the complete set of the collector cards, participants will be given a disc-bound, interactive journal, the Adolescent Almanac, which was written and self-published by Ms. Thomas, LCSW-C as a part of their participation. These tools help teens gain insight and the benefit of understanding the link between emotion, thought, behavior, and consequences.

The full version of this program was originally designed to run 36 days (Monday – Thursday, from 10am – 3pm) for nine weeks during the summer months. Each day has morning and afternoon tasks consisting of various quests focused on one realm each week.

The current version has been truncated to run 20 days for five weeks (Monday – Thursday, 9am – 4pm) permitting focus on the core six realms for three days each.

Ms Thomas, LCSW-C is a licensed therapist and a board certified supervisor, program creator and showrunner. She will be assisted by three social work interns and two junior counselors. Interns are graduate (masters level) students who are interested in working with adolescent behavioral health. Junior counselors are mature and responsible teenagers who are compensated with a cash scholarship for assisting with basic tasks like arranging tables and chairs, setting snacks, and organizing program materials.

Participants must have a parent or legal guardian complete all of the following to be eligible for enrollment: (1) review and sign consent forms, (2) complete a psychological assessment, (3) pay the full registration fee via Zelle prior to starting camp.

Please note: 

Insurance is billed for the assessment and daily group therapy sessions. You will be responsible for any deductible, copayment, or coinsurance amounts as determined by your insurer. Payments are due the day of service, however for camp, we will invoice you weekly if applicable.

Assessments may be scheduled starting June 1 of each calendar year. 

Assessments are not required for current Adolaize patients.

The first 36 participants to complete all of the aforementioned will likely be selected for participation. If your participant is not selected, or is unable to attend for any reason, your enrollment fee will be reimbursed in full in a timely manner via Zelle.