The paper explores basic concepts of mental retardation and proposes wilderness adventure programing as an approach that offers mentally retarded persons the dignity of taking a reasonable risk. Benefits of such programing are cited for affective, cognitive, and psychomotor domains. Processes involved in the therapeutic bases for program development are traced from needs assessment, component analysis (covering physical, social, task, perceived risk, and leadership components), and evaluation. An example is provided of designing a therapeutic program to increase risk taking behavior and self esteem. The distinction between a therapeutic and a recreational model for wilderness adventure programing is stressed. Among appended materials is a list of common program activities and the corresponding needs addressed. (CL)