Author Topic: Has anyone heard of this place???  (Read 9391 times)

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Offline jjpinks

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Has anyone heard of this place???
« on: February 08, 2005, 12:06:00 PM »
The place is called SageWalk, and it is in Oregon.

I just stumbled upon it while searching for something online. Do any of these names sound familiar? Has anyone on here been to this program? If so, what was it like? I am just curious.

Take a look....

http://www.sagewalk.com/staff.htm


SageWalk staff members are highly trained and dedicated individuals. Therapists are Ph.D. and Masters level clinicians, and all staff members have passed through The ?SageWalk Wilderness Skills? training program. Each staff member has also passed a thorough FBI background investigation. SageWalk also maintains a two-on-one practice, never allowing a student and staff member to be alone together. In order to further ensure their safety, all staff members have been trained in first aid, CPR, and all Head Instructors are required to have ?Wilderness First Responder? certification along with outdoor living skills. Our Staff also participate in weekly in-service trainings and briefings.
 



   Larry Solie, MBA

SageWalk Executive Director
Program and Financial development
Past Executive Director ?Bridges Academy for Boys?
President, Earths Bounty International Marketing
Executive Vice President, INST Publishing
Serves on the Oregon
Youth Advisory Board to the Governor
 

   Kevin Warner
SageWalk CEO
Marketing and Program Integrity
Past President Pacific Western Development Corp.
Past CEO TSN Television Network
Served on the Oregon Governors board for Economic Development
 

   J. Huffine, Ph.D.
SageWalk Clinical Director; primary therapist
Oregon licensed Psychologist
Clinical Supervisor, On-Track Wilderness Program
Expert in child Psychology
Expert in trauma
Qualified rock and raft facilitator
20 years experience
 

   Ellen McBride
SageWalk Chief Financial Officer
Program Support and financial planning
Office and personnel Management
Business Manager, Trex Wilderness Program
Vice President, own company
 

 Cindy Fogel, M.A.
SageWalk Therapist
Therapist, Obsidian Trails
Therapist, State of Oregon Mental Health
Specialist in Female behavioral issues
15 years experience in outdoor therapy
 
 

  Scott Fitzwater, MA, LPC
SageWalk Therapist
Therapist State of Oregon Mental Health
Emphasis on child and family development
10 years experience in child psychology
Expert in group and family dynamics
Specialist in male behavioral issues
 

 Meghan Flaherty, MSW
SageWalk Therapist
Certified Commitment Investigator
Therapist State of Oregon Mental Health
Individual, group and family therapy experience
Emergency Intervention and crisis management
Needs assessment
 
 Willow Huffine Ph.D.
SageWalk Nurse
Clinical Director , Bridges Academy for Boys
Clinical Psychologist, Private practice
Clinical Psychologist, Lifeworks
Oregon licensed Psychologist
 

 Brian Rossiter
SageWalk Program Director
Field Management
Staff Training
Program Director for Phoenix Wilderness Program
Program Director for CEDU
Certified in WFE, CPI
Facilitator for ropes courses and scuba diving
Expert in conflict resolution
 
 Tony Randazzo
Field Operations Manager
CPI Certified Instructor
5 year of experience in Wilderness Programs
Was a former student in a Wilderness Program
Wilderness First Response Certification
10 years in Corporate Business Management
 

 Guy LeGuyonne
SageWalk Admissions Director
Director of Admissions for Bridges Academy
Marketing
Business Development
Motivational Trainer for ?Songbird Foundation?
Experienced in both residential and wilderness placement and assessment
 

 Kristen Maholland, BS
Three years experience as Educational Coordinator at Meadowlark Manor, RTC
BS in Biology from the University of New Mexico
Licensed Oregon Biology and General Science Teacher
Over 10 years experience in equestrian competition, training and instructing
Hobbies include camping, dirt bikes, and horseback riding
 
 Monica Arman, MS
Oregon Licensed Master?s Level Special Education Teacher
Specialized Training in Individualized Education Plans
10 Years Experience Working with Adolescents
10 Years Experience in Photojournalism
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
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Offline Anonymous

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Has anyone heard of this place???
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2005, 12:41:00 PM »
Isn't this where one of the folks who killed Aaron Bacon ended up?  Can't remember his name off the top of my head.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Deborah

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Has anyone heard of this place???
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2005, 01:27:00 PM »
Yes, Sagewalk employed Aaron Bacon's murderer, Eric Henry during a 9 month diversion agreement following Bacon's death. He was supposed to refrain from involvement in similar programs for pay. He left, when found-out and went on to Obsidian Trails where another death occured.
http://www.contac.org/contaclibrary/tragedy28.htm
http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?to ... art=0#5214

Mark Wardle, who was responsible for the death of Ian August at Skyline Journey, was also employed by Sage Walk.
http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?to ... rt=0#63079

Wardle also worked at Brown School's 'On Track' where Charles Moody was killed.
http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?to ... art=0#5214

[ This Message was edited by: Deborah on 2005-02-08 10:29 ]
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
gt;>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Hidden Lake Academy, after operating 12 years unlicensed will now be monitored by the state. Access information on the Federal Class Action lawsuit against HLA here: http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?t=17700

Offline Anonymous

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Has anyone heard of this place???
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2005, 10:19:00 PM »
Hi jjpinks!

  I have a strong personal interest in Sagewalk.  I have lurked on this site since November and can?t tell you how happy I am that someone else thinks it is worth looking into.  My husband and I have researched it for hours and hours and I have a lot of links saved which I will work on getting to you, but off the top of my head here is what I can tell you.

  The counselors work in groups of two ?in the field? (not sure about the size of the group itself).  They work two weeks on/ two weeks off.  The counselors have different equipment from the kids, or are at least allowed to wear their own non-Sagewalk issued boots, clothing, sleeping bag etc.  They are also allowed to bring whatever food they like, as long as it isn?t shared with the kids.  

It is a tough place to research.  They change their staff page frequently.  Mind you, it is the same staff generally, but they regularly take stuff out of the bios.  We actually had to buy software that would copy the web site because they were constantly ?re-inventing? themselves.  We would start to research one aspect and then? poof? it would disappear.  Other corporate documents seemed to have deliberate misspellings.  

Larry Solie is involved with the governor?s council, and so is his wife.  He was a former juvenile corrections staff of some level.  I want to say he was in charge for the state, but I am not sure and will have to go back and check my files tonight.  He hawks colloidal silver and other vitamin type things for a living (Earth?s Bounty) as well as running Sagewalk.  He is also a director for Incrisis.org, and if that isn?t a conflict of interest, I don?t know what is.  I did a long screening process with my own 15-year-old daughter (totally honest answers to questions) through them, and we were all horrified to hear that she needed immediate help (within three to five days) of a psychiatrist.  She is a great kid, straight A student, and has no need for any type of TC behavior modification crap!  Incris.org is a scam!

There have been abuse complaints and/or lawsuits, in the past, from what I can tell from one really obscure document.  They have either been settled or are not public knowledge, I guess.  

If you would like more info gained through google etc. my husband and I have tons of it saved and would be happy to post it if you are interested.  Frankly, I have spent a ton of time on this and would love to see someone other than myself looking into them. Please keep looking into this one.  The successive changes on their staff page, in itself, creep me the hell out! I will post a ton of history, links, etc. if you would like to know more.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Deborah

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Has anyone heard of this place???
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2005, 11:40:00 PM »
And don't forget this:
http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?to ... rt=0#63087

Shapiro/Grodner Productions, http://www.arnoldshapiroprods.com, is working on a documentary-style series focusing on the positive work being done at Sage Walk - the Wilderness Camp. Sage Walk is a therapeutic program that serves as an intense intervention program for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17. It provides an opportunity to learn about the natural environment, wilderness oriented survival techniques, interpersonal relationships, communication skills and accepting responsibility for actions and consequences. (For more information, log on to http://www.sagewalk.com)

We are going to follow nine young people between ages 14 and 17 through the program, and document the process from start to finish.

Our production will pay the full cost of tuition for each of those nine students once they and their parents agree to participate, and once they are approved for attendance by Sage Walk and by us.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
gt;>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Hidden Lake Academy, after operating 12 years unlicensed will now be monitored by the state. Access information on the Federal Class Action lawsuit against HLA here: http://www.fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?t=17700

Offline Curious John

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Has anyone heard of this place???
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2005, 12:15:00 AM »
To start with, a name not yet mentioned is Chris Kocurek. He was the former CEO/Owner of Sagewalk (1)(2) who hired Mark Wardle (3). Chris Kocurek was a former CEO for a division of the Brown Schools and the developer of the On Track program (4). He is now the Executive Director and a lead educational consultant of Academic Answers (5), a referral service for teen therapy programs.

Another interesting person is Michael Conner. Although he is not listed on the current staff page of Sagewalk, I did see him on there as recently as a few months ago. Unfortunately I do not have a saved copy to back that up, but even he states he worked for them in his resume(6), as well as Obsidian Trails. He is the creator of InCrisis.org / InCrisis.net (same site) (7). This is a program that claims to be able to determine by just a few questions answered over the internet whether your kid needs treatment. Surprisingly (not really) Larry Solie is listed as one of the Acting Directors and Advisors(8).

Sagewalk was the organization that got me started on my own personal investigation into this industry. Although my tangents have led me to several other programs to look at, I do have more to provide about these people listed here. I will post more if you are interested, or you can PM me.

And if you are a parent considering this school, at the very least please consider that upper management at Sagewalk includes staff members whose history is tied to CEDU, On Track, Obsidian Trails, and Trex Wilderness program. Please research these programs before even considering sending your kid to Sagewalk.


(1) http://http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/2000/11/seen01.html
(2) http://http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/2000/4/news02.html
(3) http://http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/2000/5/seen03.html
(4) http://http://www.strugglingteens.com/archives/1999/9/seen02.html
(5) http://http://www.academic-answers.com/people.htm
(6) http://http://www.help-for-parents.org/Resume.htm
(7) http://http://incrisis.org/PressReleases/InCrisisFormed.htm
(8) http://http://incrisis.org/aboutus.html
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Curious John

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Has anyone heard of this place???
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2005, 10:50:00 PM »
Here is something I just found.

Even though "Bridge to Understanding" has removed all of thier pages since becoming "FamilyLight", I managed to find a cached page referring to SageWalk. This page was cached by Google on Nov 1, 2004, and with the exception of staff members I have seen nothing to make me suspect that there have been any changes in the "program".


SageWalk, The Outdoor School

A healing journey for youth and their families

Program Director: Brett Merle, Executive Director
Address: P.O. Box 6735, Bend, OR 97708-6735 USA
Phone: (800) 877-1922, Fax: (541) 318-7847
Email: http://www.sagewalk.com
Admission Contact: Sarah Bradham, Admission Director
Usual length of stay: 70 days

Shortest length of stay: 45 days

Longest length of stay: 138 days

Population: Residential only

Males: ages 13 - 17 capacity 25

Females: ages 13 - 17 capacity 25

Facility: Specially structured environment, therapeutic or growth experience with some educational services, but less than a fully and accredited and licensed school

Discipline: Facility seeking behavioral change through extraordinarily rigorous behavioral demands, some counseling or therapeutic content also available

External Control: Minors (or other persons subject to conservatorship or guardianship per court order) may be placed by authority of parents or legal guardians without respect to the residents' possible objections; Accepts and is appropriate for resistive participants who may be willing to stay only by reason of adverse consequences if they chose not to stay -- but they will sign themselves in and give their own consent; Accepts and is appropriate for participants who are neutral with respect to remaining; Accepts and is appropriate for participants who show a passive interest in remaining; Accepts residents with an active desire to be participants

Retention of Involuntary Clients: An effectively secured environment which might not meet a legal definition of lock down, but always involves some of the following: 1) A high ratio of staff who will effectively pursue, apprehend, and restrain involuntary residents and perhaps others acting impulsively; or 2) Physical barriers such as walls, fences, bodies of water, etc.; or 3) Passive alarms which would effectively direct staff to an interdiction point prior to unauthorized egress

Primary Presenting Issues: Substance abuse, depression, anger management, behavior problems, social skills

Valid Reason For Admission: personality disorders, adoption issues, attachment disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, sexual misconduct/compulsion, compulsive disorders, PTSD including sexual trauma, mood disorders, family conflict, ADD/ADHD/attentional issues, learning disabilities/differences, passively non-compliant, physically aggressive -- is likely to attack staff or others if not managed with great caution, aggressively defiant -- will openly and intentionally defy authority and may be verbally abusive, other behavioral issues

Relevant Services Offered But Not The Basis For Admission: suicidal ideation or risk

Compatible With Admission, But Relevant Services Not Offered: adjudicated criminal activity, firesetting, needs travel guidance/assistance -- escort service

May Preclude Admission: psychosis, neuropsychiatric disorders, remedial education

Definitely Precludes Admission: epilepsy, diabetic, sight or hearing impaired, other major physical handicaps

Medications: Medications allowed but usually only in keeping with a regimen established prior to admission

Pregnancy: Not applicable, pregnant clients not admitted

Rate: $14,000 per year

Maximum Potential Extra Costs: $1,000 per year

Insurance: Does not participate with insurance funding
Does not accept direction from managed care
Financial aid is available
Rates are not negotiable
Not CHAMPUS approved
Probable Total Cost For Typical Length Of Stay: $14,500

Facility's Comments:


http://http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:od1SE5ZqBwEJ:www.bridgetounderstanding.com/cgi-bin/aread_dir.cgi%3Fschool%3DSageWalk,TheOutdoorSchool+%22Bridge+To+Understanding%22+sagewalk&hl=en
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Anonymous

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« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2005, 04:29:00 AM »
They admit kids with personality and eating disorders?

That's absolutely ridiculous... these poor parents who send their kids there truly believe that such complicated psychiatric disorders will be solved with a little hike in the woods?

Absolutely amazing...
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Offline Anonymous

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« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2005, 09:16:00 PM »
YOUR COMMENTS ARE A BIT SIMPLISTIC...THE WORK IS FAR MORE THAN A SIMPLE WALK IN THE WOODS.  MANY COMPLICATED DIAGONSIS NEED HOSPITALIZATION...BUT OFTEN MANY DIAGNOSES ARE #1 INCORRECT OR #2 ASSISTED BY  GETTING THE CHILD OUT OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAT STIMULATES THIER PROBLEMS.  DO YOU HAVE A TROUBLED CHILD?  HAVE YOU EVER STRUGGLED THROUGH THE SYSTEM WITH "PROFESSIONALS" WHO DON'T HAVE ANSWERS FOR YOUR PROBLEMS?  HAS YOUR CHILD THREATENED SUICIDE?  TORTURED PETS?  BULLIED AND HARMED SIBLINGS?  BEFORE YOU ARE TOO JUDGEMENTAL ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS, WALK A MILE...MY CHILD'S LIFE WAS SAVED BY AN EMOTIONAL GROWTH PROGRAM.  MY FAMILY WAS SAVED BECAUSE HE LEFT.  HE'S HOMENOW, WE ARE CLOSE, HE GIVES CREDIT TO THE SCHOOL FOR HELPING HIM.  NO LOCAL PROFESSIONALS HELPED IN THE 12 YEARS WE WERE SEEKING ANSWERS.  MY SON'S "WALK IN THE WOODS" WAS JUST WHAT HE NEEDED.
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Offline Anonymous

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« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2005, 12:58:00 AM »
Quote
THE WORK IS FAR MORE THAN A SIMPLE WALK IN THE WOODS.  

Bullshit. I have never seen any evidence that they do anything except march these kids from one place to another in these wilderness programs.

Quote
MANY COMPLICATED DIAGONSIS NEED HOSPITALIZATION...BUT OFTEN MANY DIAGNOSES ARE #1 INCORRECT OR #2 ASSISTED BY  GETTING THE CHILD OUT OF THE ENVIRONMENT THAT STIMULATES THIER PROBLEMS.  

You obviously don't know much about eating disorders, or personality disorders, if you believe that moving someplace else will cure the problem. Both of these problems are extremely complicated psychological disorders that require REAL, PROFESSIONAL attention. In the case of eating disorders, there may be severe physiological problems resulting from the child's eating behaviors. A wilderness program simply cannot provide the medical supervision required for people with ED's.
As for personality disorders-- there is a high risk of suicide and self injury. Again, I doubt that a wilderness program can provide proper treatment and supervision for kids with these problems.

Not only can they not provide supervision and appropriate medical attention-- they also can't provide proper treatment. Both of these disorders require long term, interdisciplinary treatment-- which an 8-week hike CAN'T provide.

Quote
DO YOU HAVE A TROUBLED CHILD?  HAVE YOU EVER STRUGGLED THROUGH THE SYSTEM WITH "PROFESSIONALS" WHO DON'T HAVE ANSWERS FOR YOUR PROBLEMS?  HAS YOUR CHILD THREATENED SUICIDE?  TORTURED PETS?  BULLIED AND HARMED SIBLINGS?  BEFORE YOU ARE TOO JUDGEMENTAL ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS, WALK A MILE...

I've seen no evidence that these programs do anything but lie to parents and abuse children.

Quote
MY CHILD'S LIFE WAS SAVED BY AN EMOTIONAL GROWTH PROGRAM.  MY FAMILY WAS SAVED BECAUSE HE LEFT.  

Yeah, the usual "OMGOMG the program SAVED MY LIFE!!!" bullshit. I've heard it way too many times before. It's really getting old. Ever thought about changing that old, worn out line?

Quote
HE'S HOMENOW, WE ARE CLOSE, HE GIVES CREDIT TO THE SCHOOL FOR HELPING HIM.  NO LOCAL PROFESSIONALS HELPED IN THE 12 YEARS WE WERE SEEKING ANSWERS.  MY SON'S "WALK IN THE WOODS" WAS JUST WHAT HE NEEDED.


Well, good for him. But I'm talking about kids with severe, complex psychological problems. Telling parents that a 8-week hike can cure anorexia or a personality disorder is not only false, it is also highly dangerous for the child.
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Offline Anonymous

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« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2005, 07:07:00 PM »
i talked to sagewalk people a time ago. i forgot what said, but it was expensive.
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Offline Anonymous

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« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2005, 01:39:00 AM »
I enrolled my daughter at Sagewalk 2 1/2 weeks ago for chronic depression/anxiety issues and recent academic failure. No drugs or alchohol problems and no defiance. Generally a good kid just struggling. I have been feeling uneasy about the more severe diagnosis of the typical kid and the restrictive enviorment. Where can I get more info...I am afraid for her at this point. What can I do now?
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Offline Antigen

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« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2005, 02:00:00 AM »
Start at the beginning.

http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?to ... rt=0#88396

Evidently, some of these people have heard something about Sagewalk. I suggest you contact them and see what's up.

Q. I simply ask, why is PUNISHMENT the solution with regards to the narrow group of behaviors which encompass illegal drug use....?

A.Pharmaceutical Business, both legal and illegal, run by the same people either way, money coming to the middle from both ends.  Bush.
http://www.luxefaire.com/' target='_new'>Bill Gallagher

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Offline Anonymous

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« Reply #13 on: March 17, 2005, 05:52:00 AM »
Quote
On 2005-03-16 22:39:00, Anonymous wrote:

"I enrolled my daughter at Sagewalk 2 1/2 weeks ago for chronic depression/anxiety issues and recent academic failure. No drugs or alchohol problems and no defiance. Generally a good kid just struggling. I have been feeling uneasy about the more severe diagnosis of the typical kid and the restrictive enviorment. Where can I get more info...I am afraid for her at this point. What can I do now?"

Get her out.  What makes you think a punitive environment is going to help her with depression and anxiety?
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Offline Antigen

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« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2005, 05:11:00 PM »
In fairness, they probably spun a pretty picture for this parent. They'll only disclose the punitive nature of the program if they pick up on a taste for it in the parents.

A drug is neither moral nor immoral - it's a chemical compound. The compound itself is not a menace to society until a human being treats it as if consumption bestowed a temporary license to act like an asshole.
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