YSS Unveils Nature-Based Recovery Campus for Young People in Iowa
The Ember Recovery Campus leverages natural surroundings and trauma-sensitive design principles to create a supportive, healing-focused space for youth and young adults on their path to recovery.
On December 4, 2024, residents officially began moving into the Ember Recovery Campus, a dedicated addiction recovery facility specifically crafted to support the unique needs of youth and young adults. The campus, designed by RDG Planning & Design, is part of the YSS community and combines nature-based and trauma-informed design to provide a safe, welcoming space where individuals can focus on healing and self-discovery.
Nestled within a rural landscape in Cambridge, Iowa, RDG’s design for the campus echoes Iowa’s natural landscape, supporting residents’ emotional well-being and reinforcing a sense of calm and control. Looping pathways, sensory gardens and private outdoor spaces combine with a welcoming lodge and home-like residential cabins to foster a sense of safety, encourage self-reflection and build resilience, supporting the campus’s ultimate mission to offer a sanctuary for healing and personal growth.
“Our work with YSS on the Ember Recovery Campus is grounded in a deep commitment to trauma-informed design and the healing power of nature," said RDG Landscape Architect and Partner, Anne Machian, PLA, ASLA. "As a result of deep engagement with YSS staff, families, current clients and alumni, we’ve been able to create a space that fosters a sense of calm, empowerment and connection, offering a sanctuary where young people can find peace, gain confidence and reconnect with themselves and with the natural world."
Design for the nearly 53-acre campus echoes the natural Iowa landscape, supporting residents’ emotional well-being and reinforcing a sense of calm and control. At the heart of the campus, walkways weave through diverse zones, from native prairie gardens to sensory-rich spaces, allowing residents to experience a personalized journey. Each path follows a gentle, natural arc inspired by the local prairie grasses, while varied widths provide residents with choices, symbolizing the individuality of each recovery path. Upon entering the site, visitors and residents are welcomed by a tranquil, tree-lined driveway that transitions into a blend of manicured lawns and restored native prairie. This entryway fosters an immediate sense of calm and separation from the pressures of everyday life, setting the stage for a restorative experience. Privacy berms and strategically planted native vegetation create a visual separation between different campus zones, offering moments of retreat and discovery while maintaining a sense of openness.
Each element of RDG’s holistic design contributes to the mission of fostering a safe, healing and inclusive space. Within the central campus, the lodge serves as a community anchor, featuring a café, a plaza for activities such as yoga and group meditation and classrooms where students can continue their education in partnership with Ballard School District and the Heartland Area Education Agency. The sensory garden, featuring carefully selected plants that evoke touch, scent and color, provides a therapeutic experience designed to stimulate and soothe the senses.
Residential buildings are designed to provide a sense of home and security, blending commercial durability with a warm, residential aesthetic. Each two-story cabin offers bedrooms for residents that incorporate expansive windows to maximize natural light and provide views of the peaceful surroundings. Behind each cabin, private patios offer additional quiet spaces furnished with seating, hammocks and opportunities for outdoor recreation. These patios provide residents with a sense of personal space and autonomy — key elements in trauma-informed environments.
“The Ember Recovery Campus is a place of hope, opportunity and healing for young people who have faced immense challenges," said YSS President and CEO Andrew Allen. "Our vision was to create a space where nature and nurturing intersect, providing a sanctuary for self-discovery, resilience and growth. We’re excited to open these doors and welcome youth into a community where they can feel safe, empowered and supported every step of their recovery journey.”
Beyond its role as a recovery center, the Ember Recovery Campus prioritizes sustainability and community, with plans for future stormwater management that uses native prairie landscapes and decorative ponds. Additionally, the Ember Recovery Campus master plan provides future trail connections into the Story County Conservation Easement that will invite visitors to walk through the landscape and reflect on the recovery journey. An official grand opening celebration is expected to take place in the spring of 2025.