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The Troubled Teen Industry / Second Nature Wilderness Program
« on: September 14, 2009, 06:56:57 AM »
I know that this site is very much against all programs of any kind, but I just wanted to post our own success story (for the moment at least !).
Our son, aged 15, was out of control, constantly angry and depressed, not eating to the point of anorexia, failing school and using pot and alcohol to such a point that he couldn't function.
On the recommendation of an educational consultant (long story), we sent him to Second Nature in Utah, where he spent nine weeks. Last week I went to the campsite and spent the day and a night with the group, and then left with my son the next day, to take him to his "aftercare" as they call it.
And our son was absolutely transformed. He said it saved his life. He is happy, calm, funny, and gained nearly 20 pounds while he was in the program. He's proud that he can do that fire thing with the bow, that he survived tough hikes, and that he can cook over a fire. He is really a totally changed young man, and he said without Second Nature he couldn't have done it.
I found the staff to be good, but the therapist in charge of our son was exceptional, absolutely outstanding. Very understanding and still pointing out the sensitive issues in a way that we could all make some changes in communication so we don't all blow up all the time, as we've been doing for the past year.
So I thought I'd post something incredibly positive. I am thrilled to have my son back, in good shape, physically and mentally, and I was extremely impressed with the care of the boys, both physical and emotional. I know this program doesn't work with all boys, but it worked with our son.
Our son, aged 15, was out of control, constantly angry and depressed, not eating to the point of anorexia, failing school and using pot and alcohol to such a point that he couldn't function.
On the recommendation of an educational consultant (long story), we sent him to Second Nature in Utah, where he spent nine weeks. Last week I went to the campsite and spent the day and a night with the group, and then left with my son the next day, to take him to his "aftercare" as they call it.
And our son was absolutely transformed. He said it saved his life. He is happy, calm, funny, and gained nearly 20 pounds while he was in the program. He's proud that he can do that fire thing with the bow, that he survived tough hikes, and that he can cook over a fire. He is really a totally changed young man, and he said without Second Nature he couldn't have done it.
I found the staff to be good, but the therapist in charge of our son was exceptional, absolutely outstanding. Very understanding and still pointing out the sensitive issues in a way that we could all make some changes in communication so we don't all blow up all the time, as we've been doing for the past year.
So I thought I'd post something incredibly positive. I am thrilled to have my son back, in good shape, physically and mentally, and I was extremely impressed with the care of the boys, both physical and emotional. I know this program doesn't work with all boys, but it worked with our son.