i went there, but years ago. i was just curious to see if it had changed at all and plus i'm getting my degree in social work and looking into different options - i've worked at a wilderness program since. but i think i'll stick to working with underprivileged youth and stay away from the boarding school "industry." however, i was curious nonetheless and this came up when i googled swift river. i was there just about 5 or 6 months after the school had opened. i don't know how much it has changed but when i was there, the owners and the administrative staff were as sneaky and dishonest as the students. it's a huge business. i'd say, for anyone thinking about sending their child to an aspen program, not to expect wonders - if you do it, be really clear about what you want for you and your child and have someone (therapist, ed. consultant) to walk you through it the whole way so you're on top of whatever the school is not. i think some kids get something from it, but more so because it's away from the environment they were "acting out" in. other than that, the work still remains between the guardian and their child. i think it's ridiculous to believe that a program can "fix" a child anyway, with no work from the parent/guardian, but especially within the therapeutic boarding school industry, it's important to know your own goals as parents/guardians and be clear about your boudaries and what you want from the school. sometimes the staff members don't know what they're doing, sometimes they do. sometimes they're as bad as the kids. i've heard many stories about staff getting high with students, and although i think this is more common with wilderness programs, i've heard a few stories of abuse. i think, whatever decision parents make, it's important to keep in mind that the school is a place away from home where their kid should safe - feel out the staff/faculty (visit the school). something key - a good program will incorporate the parents as much as possible into the process and... yes, hold the parents accountable as well. the parents have to be willing to do "emotional" work just as the students do. when i was there, it was very chaotic and the owners/administration lied about the facility and students. they had made things up about my life experiences before going there and because my mom and i (although things were bumpy) has a good relationship, she knew what they were saying wasn't true. they were giving dishonest information about me to a therapist who worked outside of the school who would then do write-ups to put in our academic records. my mom had to be really harsh with them because those lies would be in my records when it came time to applying to college, for jobs, etc. they also intentionally didn't give classes the students needed to postpone the amount of time students would stay there... even if students were doing fine and parents and students alike were ready to have them go back home. a good school with also be honest if it's not the right match. so, parents need to know what they're looking for, being willing to take responsibility for their part, have a connection outside of the school, and be a part of the process. if the parents go in with that attitude, they'll be able to be clear about the school and whether or not it's right for their child. they'll know if it isn't working and they need to find a different place. i'd recommend having a family therapist (if you can find a good one - haha, the hard part) and not relying 100% on the school. again, ASR may have changed since i was there, but it's still part of a huge industry. i wouldn't say don't use them, but know what you're doing and what you want out of it. there are good faculty members and counselors in the schools as well but don't expect it to "save" your child - it's a place for them to be away, to work on growing up and develop a better relationship with parents in a healthy way, and maybe if the school has improved, get something out of the experience.
