Located in Brooksville, FL, Eckerd Academy at Brooksville is a positive, nurturing outdoor residential treatment program and residential alternative school 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.

Student Profile
Since 1968, Eckerd Academy at Brooksville has helped thousands 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

• 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

“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 

Read Ted's complete success story >>

Refer a Struggling Teenager To Eckerd Academy 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.

We are located in Brooksville, FL., 45 minutes north of Tampa, Fla.
	Eckerd Academy Brochure (Downloadable PDF file, 860K)
	Eckerd Academy at Brooksville Information Kit (Downloadable PDF file, 560K)

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