This digest briefly summarizes the parallel development of outdoor education and outdoor therapeutic programs for troubled and adjudicated youth, describes the rationale supporting outdoor approaches, and reports related research and evaluation findings. First attempts to use the outdoors as a healing environment were "tent therapy" programs at state psychiatric hospitals in the early 1900s. The mid-1900s saw the start of more sophisticated camping programs for troubled youth that included observation, diagnosis, and psychotherapy components. The first therapeutic wilderness programs included the perception of danger and immediate natural consequences of participant noncooperation. At the same time, experience-based programming was developing in schools and universities. The two movements had many common influences, including the ideas of John Dewey and Kurt Hahn. Since the 1970s, the number and types of outdoor programs geared specifically to troubled youth have increased dramatically. Outdoor settings allow staff and youth to relate in new nonverbal ways, provide a new environment with new possibilities, encourage participants to face their fears, and create interdependence among group members. Many mental health programs for youth use the outdoor environment, but their therapeutic programs are often quite vague. Court-related programs are usually residential, long-term, and designed as an alternative to incarceration. Although the research on outdoor programs has been sparse, available evidence suggests positive impacts on self-esteem in both mental health and court programs, as well as reductions in delinquency recidivism rates. This digest includes suggestions for further research and information on resources. Contains nine references. (SV)