Oh, Guest, it is my profound hope that I am dead wrong, but the evidence says otherwise. Because no family members other than her parents have been allowed any communication whatsoever with our niece since she was sent there in early 2006, it is not possible to know for sure.
But here is the evidence I have that raps are still being used.
1. The BCA web site gives the students' Daily Schedule:
http://https://www.bouldercreekacademy.net/campus/dailyschedule.pdfAnd this from the BCA web page describing campus life (bold added to copy below by me):
Each student's daily schedule varies as they progress through the school. Wake-up time is approximately 6:30 a.m., and dorm responsibilities are handled by each of the students. Breakfast is followed by a morning meeting called "First Light," which includes philosophical discussions, exploration of current and past issues, leadership sponsored activities, personal goal setting, and play. "First Light" is a time for all of the students to gather, share information, and spend time getting to know more about each other.
At Boulder Creek Academy, morning activities may include academic classes and service commitments such as working in the wood corral, landscaping, gardening and woodworking. Students have the opportunity to participate in each of these areas, which increases their "hands-on" experience and enhances their group interaction skills.
Lunch is followed by afternoon classes, meetings or activities. Group discussions, Raps, are held three afternoons per week, and elective classes are available on the other two weekdays. Outdoor recreational activities such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball, snow shoeing, wilderness trip preparation, and running can also be a part of the individual students' daily schedule. Dorm time begins at 4 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m.
2. Staff members currently in executive positions at the school are the same people who were in charge before the bankruptcy in 2005: Johnson, Wilson, Tompkins, and Timms. See
http://https://www.bouldercreekacademy.net/about/leaders.shtml3. Complete isolation from family--this is the same
modus operandi as has been practiced there for years, according to former students here on Fornits. Oh, and no axe murderers in our family that I know of--just normal, loving folk who want to see their relative.
4. Her parents continually use language like "she's manipulative and lies all the time." "Completing the program" is paramount to them.
And near as I can tell "completing the program" is about time served, not therapeutic goals achieved.
AuntieEm
