The owner is allegedly gay too. Double-standard?
To my knowledge, HLA didn't open their own wilderness program (Ridge Creek)until 2001. Prior to that the kids attended wilderness elsewhere.
The parent manual stated:
Clean Air Experience
"Sleeping in a confortable, climate-controlled environment is a privilege of civilized society. Sometimes, though, students act in a rather uncivilized manner. When this occurs, a student my be given a Clean Air eperience. Under the supervision of the night security staff, the student will safely sloop outdoors in front of the dormitory or in a tent or lean-to shelter, usually for a night or two- but the time may be extended if necessary." They could also be required to sleep in the common area or hallway.
Challenge Trip
This is the term for a relatively brief wilderness trip away from the main campus- but still on school property (or possibly in a nearby part of the National Forest)- for students who are proving particularly resistant to changing unacceptable behavior or who are making minimal efforts toward growth. Trips may last a week or more. Students lose the privilege of weekly calls with their parents.
Pre-Wilderness Trip
Students who continually repeat the same kinds of inappropriate behaviors may be sent on a Pre-Wilderness Trip, which is similar to a Challenge Trip. Pre-Wilderness Trips-in contrast to Challenge Trips-culminate with the understanding that a continuation of the same behavior will result in the student being sent to an Off-Campus Wilderness Program for several weeks. They also loose the privilege of weekly calls with parents.
Off-Campus Wilderness
Students who continually refuse to modify unacceptable behavior may be sent to an off-campus wilderness program in order to allow them to find a new sense of self-reliance, purpose, and commitment to the work that needs to be done at HLA.....These programs typically range from 30 days to six or seven weeks, and may result in the student's transfer to a Peer Group with a later graduation date.
***
Following a complaint that HLA had violated their own policy by sending my son to Wilderness before being sentenced to Clean Air, Challenge, or Pre-Wilderness; the policy was changed and a replacement sheet was sent to parents.
Challenge and Pre-Wilderness options had been omitted. A kid went from Clean Air to Wilderness, at HLA's discretion.
And who were these boys spending time with in this program which was billed as a "Wilderness Leadership Program" and NOT A BOOT CAMP? A group of weekend warriors.
Keith Antonia , Director
Keith Antonia graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1981 with a B.S. in General Business Administration and holds a Masters degree from the Naval War College in National Security. Recently retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, Keith completed 20 highly successful years of service in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer in Airborne and Ranger units. Throughout his 20 years leading soldiers under hazardous conditions, he became an expert at managing and mitigating risk. His effort and supervision led to an outstanding safety record. His last assignment in the Army involved commanding the Mountain Phase of the U.S. Army Ranger School in Dahlonega, Georgia. His goal is to provide a rigorous but safe wilderness leadership program for Ridge Creek students. He and his family currently reside in Dahlonega, Georgia.
Wilderness Staff:
Tom Wilburn, Wilderness Team Leader
Recently retired First Sergeant, Tom served 20 years in the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces. His qualifications include Ranger, Pathfinder, Master Fitness Trainer, Advanced Land Navigation, Survival, SpecialForces Mountain Rescue, American Heart Association CPR Instructor, Wilderness First Responder and many other certifications/ qualifications. Tom has extensive leadership training and experience. He led soldiers under the most hazardous conditions in combat and in peacetime with outstanding success. He achieved the highest enlisted rank in the Army. He also is a volunteer fireman in Suches, GA where he assists with search and rescue. He and his family reside in Suches, Georgia.
Kevin Connell, Wilderness Team Leader
Kevin recently retired as a Command Sergeant Major from the U.S. Army after serving over 23 years in Special Operations and Ranger Units. His qualifications include Ranger, High Risk Survival, Mountaineering Instructor, Winter Operations Course, Master Fitness Trainer, American Heart Association CPR Instructor and numerous other qualifications/certifications. During his time in the military, Kevin was recognized as a mature, focused leader who was unflappable under the most stressful conditions. He mentored, trained and led hundreds of future Army leaders. He and his family reside in Dahlonega, Georgia.
Matt Owens, Wilderness Leadership Instructor
Matt has been an avid outdoorsman for over 10 years. He has worked as a Park Ranger with the National Park Service, and is an American Heart Association CPR Instructor as well as a certified EMT. He also had the opportunity to thru-hike the 2,168 mile long Appalachian Trail. Matt graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Recreation and Parks Administration. He currently resides in Dahlonega, Georgia.
Marci Summer, Wilderness Leadership Instructor
Marci has experience as a backpacking, rock climbing, rappelling, and outdoor expedition facilitator. She has a B.S. in Education in Recreation and Leisure Studies. Marci is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist and an American Heart Association CPR Instructor. Previously, she served as a recreation therapist at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. She currently resides in Gainesville, Georgia.
Clinical Staff:
J.J. Williams, Admissions Director
J.J. has been in Administration for over 6 years. She graduated with a Bachelor?s degree in Interdisciplinary Fine Arts. J.J. most recently was a Theatre Arts Instructor in Fayetteville, N.C. She has traveled abroad with her duties both Theatrical and Administratively. J.J. is American Heart Association CPR certified and First Aid Certified. She and her husband currently reside in Dahlonega, Georgia.
Cheryl Clark, MSW, LCSW, Counselor
Cheryl has been employed in the field of mental health for over 12 years. She has a Bachelor?s degree in Psychology, a Master?s degree in Social Work and is an American Heart Association CPR Instructor. She worked for 7 years in an acute-care psychiatric hospital where she conducted individual, family and group therapy with adolescents and their families. After relocating to Georgia in 1996, she worked as a Private Psychotherapist in metro Atlanta. Her areas of clinical expertise include anger management, depression and other mood disorders, relationship/ family conflict and self-esteem. She currently resides in Dahlonega, Georgia.
David Jordan, MTS, Counselor
David has worked over 15 years as an outdoor guide and youth counselor. David holds a Bachelor?s degree and a Master?s degree in Theological Studies (magna cum laude). He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree at Prescott College in Counseling and Psychology with a specialty in Wilderness Therapy. He has been trained and certified as a Wilderness First Responder, American Heart Association CPR Instructor and an Alpine Tower Facilitator. David and his family currently reside in Dahlonega, Georgia.
The men that the boys spent the majority of their time with did not posses the require credentials or experience with youth, according to the Ga Regs. How did they get by with this? They weren't licensed and monitored. The director told me that wilderness programs weren't required to be licensed in Ga. He was obviously mistaken. He has been replaced, along with the other Mt Rangers, some who were not mentioned is the list of staff.
One asked my son, "Do they restrain ya'll over at HLA?" My son replied yes. He laughed and said, "Yeh, but I bet they don't have as much fun doing it as we do."
Another tidbit from the parent manual, "Make it clear to your child that you are not interested in wasting your telephone time on rumors and that any 'facts' about the school will be communicated to you by a Communicator." And, "The best way to deal with any and all complaints from your child is with the repeated suggestion that they talk the problems over with their counselors and ask for whatever help they need."
