Author Topic: Redcliffer  (Read 52288 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« on: June 21, 2005, 04:24:00 AM »
From the ABC Family Brat Camp Forum on RedCliff Ascent:

Quote
RCAH8RReal

Redcliffer

Posted: Jan 07, 2005 03:00 PM reply

7 Posts
Registered: Jan 07, 2005 02:27 PM


Ok this show is straight nonsense as far as I can see for right now. I went to RCA and that place is no joke. The little bit of film that I've seen of it is so far off the spectrum it's unreal. Honestly I'm sorta stuck on where to even begin because when I went to RCA I was 15 years old. I'm now 22 and can honestly say that I still resent my parents for ever sending me there. It was not what fixed my problems for me and did nothing for the drug habit that I had already well endowed into myself. I was going through crazy withdrawls that were shown no simpathy, and no matter how messed up you are to people and what you have done, hiking 12 miles a day and making fires out of sticks, and having people downtalk you while you hike will not make you feel better about yourself.
I also don't want parents to think that this is necessarily a safe place either, and Redcliff can quote me on this next part that I'm about to get into.
When you go to RCA you have to go to the DR's and you usually go within a group that you have arrived at about the same time with. On the way to and from you have to blindfold yourself in order to "Not know where your going" In the middle of Utah though you have no idea where the hell you are neways. So anyways our driver thought he was just too hot to trot and was going way too fast on a dirt road for any vehicle especially for the lifted Suburban that we were in. So we start fishtailing then eventually the Suburban flips over and whaddya know...A whole bunch of injuries occur. The kid next to me wasn't wearing a seat belt and injured his neck, I shattered the growth plate in my left arm, one of the female counslers got hit in the face with a gasoline canister that we carried water in, another kid cut his hand open.....Needless to say it was an eventful day. Not over yet though. If I knew what was going to come next I would have ran away, it was chaotic enough and the problem was though most of us were too injured to do anything about it. After 45 minutes of waiting for an ambulance, and another hour trip into town we received medical attention at the hospital. All of us asked to speak with our parents to let them know what happened and that we were ok and everything. WELL THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. We all had counslers with us the entire time to make sure that we didn't use the phone to even call out parents. I mean what is that? My parents did not know the severity of the situation that the driver was showboating whilest driving and it was his fault that we were injured. The DR's that treated every one said that we needed bed rest for a few days, the counslers said that wouldn't be possible and so for all of us that were injured we got taken to Wendy's for food and the 2 kids in Neck Braces along with me and all the others that were injured went back into the field the same night. Now I know this was a severe instence of something that could happen newhere but the people there are not about your well being and you becoming someone better. You see the Therapist once a week or maybe every other I forget but you only talk to them for like 30 minutes and they tell you what you need to do. My therapist suggested my folks not write me as much so that I could focus on me and that looking for letters from them sets me up for failure. In the middle of nowhere, with no idea of when you'll get out, no help for drug addiction which is half the kids problems, and no letters from the parents...You tell me does that sound helpful.
In the end I was at RCA for 88 days. There was a kid that had been there for 4 months when I got there and was still there when I left. The kid had a learning disability and was unable to focus on bookwork like we did. Since it's also part of the curriculum he was just sorta stuck but had become so accustomed to living there that you felt no need to change.
My group had the handcart because we were a bunch of injured retards. Like I say the money is not worth it for the parents, the resentmeant that alot of us feel towards our parents is not worth it, and for some it does change them completely but for others it just shows them to not get caught. I also did 35 days of my time with a cast (Which shoulda been 28 but they didn't have time to take me to the DR.) An experience I wish I had never lived and I thank ABC Family for making it seem like it's some sorta joke or something, I sure hope you give it a proper justification.
So my name is Matthew R. aka Gimpy (From the Injury) aka Storm Fox the name I was given in my name ceremony at RCA.
Oh yeah sometime people should look up the day that the kids rebelled at RCA when counslers got beat up and rebelled in an uprising...That's always a good story.
And why the hell are the kids English or something? I don't understand TV sometimes.


Quote
Frogger_Chickadee

Re: Re: Real Redcliffer

Posted: Jan 09, 2005 12:20 PM reply

12 Posts
Registered: Jan 09, 2005 11:34 AM


hey Matt we should exchange WAR STORIES sometime email me
[email protected] i was there in 2001


Quote
getchasome123

Re: Re: Real Redcliffer

Posted: Jan 09, 2005 05:59 PM reply

10 Posts
Registered: Jan 09, 2005 05:37 PM


all right dude, you said yourself you had a drug problem, so what else did you do to get sent out there. there are ways of preventing these things. listen to mommy and daddy and don't throw tantrums when they tell you no.


Quote
braduh60l

Re: Re: Real Redcliffer

Posted: Jan 10, 2005 06:10 AM reply

6 Posts
Registered: Jan 10, 2005 05:56 AM


Its not suppose to make you feel better about yourself you idot. The camp is there as an alternative to prison. So I'd say your lucky your parents didn't send you to jail or prison.


Quote
Roar2000

Re: Re: Real Redcliffer

Posted: Jan 10, 2005 09:08 PM reply

4 Posts
Registered: Jan 10, 2005 08:10 PM


where can i find this story about the staff getting ina riot with the kids?


Quote
brightwinds

Re: Re: Real Redcliffer

Posted: Jan 10, 2005 09:30 PM reply

2 Posts
Registered: Jan 10, 2005 09:26 PM


I haven't seen the show , but I heard about it through someone that I met at RCA. I graduated from there about four years ago and it actually helped me. I know that there is a lot of messed up things that happen out in the wilderness and the staff could careless about you getting injured or sick but that's all part of the process. I had to hike everyday with a torn ligament in my ankle and needed surgery when I got out, but I still think I was able to get back on the right path and learn alot from going through this program. I don't think it was a joke at all, but the program does help you if you let it.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline iCare

  • Posts: 6
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #1 on: July 17, 2005, 12:03:00 AM »
Thank you so much Matt for sharing your story. I'm so glad that you were able to get through such an awful experience and let us all know first hand what a place like that is like. You have my respect. More people need to be brave like you and speak of the stress they endured in similar situations. As for the negative responders to this post, you make me sick. But even you "people" don't deserve to be subjected to the horrors of a wilderness camp. God Bless...
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2005, 01:15:00 AM »
Quote
"braduh60l
 
Re: Re: Real Redcliffer
 
Posted: Jan 10, 2005 06:10 AM reply  
 
6 Posts  
Registered: Jan 10, 2005 05:56 AM
 
...The camp is there as an alternative to prison. So I'd say your lucky your parents didn't send you to jail or prison."


Well that about says it! To hell with the constitution, civil rights, innocent until proven guilty, and all those tired cliches from back in the days when our founding fathers were working on creating a free and just society. When it comes to witches, burn them! No mercy! These witch trials are a waste of time, anyone can spot one.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2005, 01:46:00 PM »
A week ago my 15 year old stepson was abducted and taken to Redcliff.  The following day, his father (my husband) was told about it via an email from his son's mother.  He and the boy's mother have joint legal custody, but Redcliff doesn't require consent from both parents to do this.  In fact, the consent form was actually signed by the mother and one of her ex-husbands.  

The reason for his placement?  He talks back and uses swear words with his mother, and on one occasion he "ran away from home" (his mother TOLD him to leave, so he got on his bike and went to the next town for a few hours, while staying in touch with his mother by cell phone).  

The dilemma:  We have done a LOT of research since learning of this, and much of what we are finding is conflicting, but overall frightening.  My husband has phoned Redcliff and asked to SPEAK to his son, and has been denied.  It is "against their policies".  But he never agreed to their policies, and they have no right to deny him access to his son in this manner.  The staff at Redcliff continues to tell him his son is adjusting nicely and doing well. How well could he be doing after being surprised by contract escorts who abducted him and took him to another state?  These people are strangers to us, we have no way of knowing what he may actually be going through.  We were sent special envelopes in order to write to him, but were told specifically to write only happy comments, and ask about skills he was learning there, etc.  We understand that any mail he may send to us must first go through his mother and she must decide whether to forward it on.  We anticipate a lot of censorship, and that the "students" also have limits placed on them regarding the content of their outgoing mail.

This child did not deserve to be forcibly abducted like a common criminal.  He is a good kid, albeit he is spoiled and feels entitled.  He underwent an extensive psychological evaluation one week before he was abducted.  The doctor's findings were that "wilderness therapy" was premature and unwarranted.  He recommended regular counseling for the child.  The mother disregarded these findings, and hustled him off to Redcliff, so she could be free to enjoy the remainder of her summer without having to be a parent.

What do we do now?  We are considering several options, including getting a court order to have him removed.  

Please, if anyone can offer advice as to how we should proceed, please email me at [email protected].  We are desperate for information above and beyond the propaganda that Redcliff offers.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2005, 02:15:00 PM »
Other dads (and moms)in similar situations have gone and got their child.

SEE STORY BELOW!

http://www.denver-rmn.com/desperate/sit ... rate.shtml
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #5 on: July 30, 2005, 02:29:00 PM »
Yep, the mom sent her son to a WWASPS program without the dad's knowledge or consent and his dad went and got him out.

:nworthy:
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Deborah

  • Posts: 5383
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2005, 03:36:00 PM »
Show up during a regularly scheduled, court ordered visitation time with your decree and they have to release your child. Your court ordered visitation supercedes the programs policies and procedures. Ultimately you may have to go to family court to prove the placement is unnecessary and too restrictive. Ask for an injunction to have him returned immediately while the matter is sorted out. The mother has violated the father's rights. Now he must prove so, and while he's at it, prove that she is not stable enough to make decisions alone. The recommendation on the eval may make this an easy case to prove.
You might also hire an attorney to send a threatening letter to the program. I don't technically know what liability they have, but they certainly are aiding the mother in denying the father's rights.
Good luck. Keep us posted.
« 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

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2005, 04:08:00 PM »
Look, if the dad did not sign the agreement (enrollment contract) why can't he just go to Utah, get his kid and bring him home?

That's what Eric Stone's dad did (see link posted to story in Rocky Mountain News).
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2005, 04:57:00 PM »
Quote
On 2005-07-30 13:08:00, Anonymous wrote:

"Look, if the dad did not sign the agreement (enrollment contract) why can't he just go to Utah, get his kid and bring him home?



That's what Eric Stone's dad did (see link posted to story in Rocky Mountain News).







"

The problem with a wilderness program is you have to find the kid first.  If the program is being uncooperative there is a lot of desert to search.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Antigen

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 12992
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • View Profile
    • http://wwf.Fornits.com/
Redcliffer
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2005, 05:25:00 PM »
File a missing person's report w/ the local authorities. If there's one thing bureaucrats hateses, it's administrative hassle.

Always try to do things in chronological order; it's less confusing that way.
--Unknown

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
"Don\'t let the past remind us of what we are not now."
~ Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Sweet Judy Blue Eyes

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2005, 05:28:00 PM »
Thanks so much for the advice!  We were feeling REALLY alone in this.  The boy's parents live on opposite ends of the country, and our summer visitation allocation is behind us.  However, we are hoping Redcliff will do the right thing and release him to his father.  What's troubling is that we TOLD Redcliff about his recent evaluation, gave them the name of the doctor AND his assessment that wilderness therapy was not right for him, and they have made no effort to contact the doctor.  This information, of course, was not mentioned on his application, as it was contradictory to his mother's plans (we actually have a copy of the application she submitted to them).  She took him in for the evaluation, and now has proceeded to disregard the doctor's opinion.  We expected that from her, but thought Redcliff would recognize and respect these findings, and see that he shouldn't be there.  Is it about the child, or about the $$$$?  Why wouldn't they at least take a minute to determine if this was the right choice for the child?

On his application, the mother's 3rd Ex-husband was listed as FATHER....then again as STEP-FATHER.  He signed the consent form as FATHER.  He and the child's mother separated in 2001, divorced in 2002.  He emailed my husband, threatening to take him to court if he attempts to extricate the child from Redcliff. In the past, he had sent another of his stepsons, from yet another marriage, to Redcliff, and was pleased with the outcome.  On the application, my husband was mentioned in passing, with the added comment: "disinterested".  Redcliff says they "thought he knew about it" so they didn't bother to notify him.  The discrepancies on the application certainly SHOULD have been a red flag to any reasonable person.  The application included a copy of the divorce decree, showing they have JOINT legal custody (she has physical custody).  While we are obviously upset at the "oversight", we are more concerned that they demonstrated NO interest in recognizing the findings of his evaluation.  That speaks volumes about their true concerns.

Redcliff appears to have a good record for safety, which is reassuring.  But we are concerned this type of treatment may be detrimental, since it really isn't warranted.  It seems such an extreme measure to address normal teenage behavior.  In the past, he has only had occasional family counseling with his mother.  I always thought Wilderness Therapy was reserved for cases where all other options had been exhausted, or a child was deemed incorrigible.  But apparently Redcliff will accept ANY child, troubled or not.  If you have the money, they have the time.  

I was looking at their website, and it says they pay their field instructors $80 - $125 per day.  It doesn't seem they even need any particular training other than CPR & first aid, although additional training or experience is helpful.  Basically, if you have the stamina to hike in inclement weather, have a minimum of a High School Equivalency, are at least 20 years old and can learn CPR, you're qualified. And they probably require you speak English and walk upright.  They do not necessarily deny you because you have a conviction record; they just ask you to explain the circumstances, and put it before a committee. Thank goodness they at least deny employment if you have a conviction of a violent or sexual nature.   I don't understand how these people, regardless of their empathy or good intentions, are qualified to help troubled children.  I'm not trying to disparage the field instructors.  I'm sure many of them are motivated by a true desire to help the kids.  But I'm not comfortable with Redcliff's minimum hiring standards.  It's just not sufficient, when these employees are charged with protecting and nurturing children in a dangerous environment.  

Our inclination is to remove him from Redcliff.  We may be met with obstacles, I just don't know.  We are reluctant to attempt it without a court order, and are awating arrival the doctor's written report before requesting a hearing.  Once the report is in hand, we can proceed.  

I'd welcome any more input or information.  Thanks!!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2005, 03:13:00 PM »
Quote
Redcliff appears to have a good record for safety, which is reassuring.
It's not that safe.  Jared Oscarson nearly died in circumstances very reminiscent of those in which Aaron Bacon and Michelle Sutton met their deaths.

http://fornits.com/wwf/viewtopic.php?to ... rt=0#72655

And have you read the other posts in this forum about medical neglect, being forced to walk on a broken ankle and so on?

Quote
But apparently Redcliff will accept ANY child, troubled or not. If you have the money, they have the time.
True.  On Brat Camp they admitted that some kids get sent there for things as trivial as watching an X-rated video.  What kind of "therapy" can you give for something like that.

Quote
I was looking at their website, and it says they pay their field instructors $80 - $125 per day. It doesn't seem they even need any particular training other than CPR & first aid, although additional training or experience is helpful. Basically, if you have the stamina to hike in inclement weather, have a minimum of a High School Equivalency, are at least 20 years old and can learn CPR, you're qualified. And they probably require you speak English and walk upright. They do not necessarily deny you because you have a conviction record; they just ask you to explain the circumstances, and put it before a committee. Thank goodness they at least deny employment if you have a conviction of a violent or sexual nature.

They even employ students in the summer vacation!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #12 on: August 01, 2005, 12:31:00 PM »
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Anonymous

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 164653
  • Karma: +3/-4
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2005, 05:22:00 PM »
Thanks to everyone for their input and assistance.  Redcliff told us (after consulting with their attorney) that we had to have a specific court order for my husband to remove his son from the program, and after compiling a mountain of paperwork, we had a hearing to try to get the court order.  Right now, I'm pretty angry about this.  The court said there is no evidence that being at Redcliff will definitely be HARMFUL to him.  So the motion was DENIED.  I am incredulous over this.  The paperwork included the psychological evaluation stating wilderness therapy was not called for, and could be counter-productive.  That wasn't enough.  His father has NO rights whatsoever.  He is just used as a source of money.  That's all.  I am frustrated beyond description.  Well, the good news is that one day my husband can show his son that he did everything possible to help him.  He hasn't been allowed to speak to his son since he was taken away by "escorts".  My husband is allowed to write him letters, and he has, but any mail the child sends to my husband is first received by his ex-wife, and SHE decides whether to forward it on.  As you can probably guess, we haven't received any letters from him.  I'm really bummed, but I'll get over it.  I'm not so sure about the child.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »

Offline Shortbus

  • Posts: 139
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
Redcliffer
« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2005, 08:18:00 PM »
Quote
On 2005-07-30 13:57:00, Anonymous wrote:

"
Quote

On 2005-07-30 13:08:00, Anonymous wrote:


"Look, if the dad did not sign the agreement (enrollment contract) why can't he just go to Utah, get his kid and bring him home?





That's what Eric Stone's dad did (see link posted to story in Rocky Mountain News).











"


The problem with a wilderness program is you have to find the kid first.  If the program is being uncooperative there is a lot of desert to search."



Find a staff member and bribe them. Field staff and logistics are so poorly paid they'll jump at it. I probably would.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Guest »
ts never too late to procrastinate