Oh Ascent, what can I say. I was sent there when I was 16 (In 1998). My parents were DESPERATE... they didn't know what to do with me, but let me tell you, I was a pretty mild kid. I was depressed and eager to please. I wanted people to like me, so I smoked pot and I drank (sometimes). I didn't like school too much, because I HATED the kids there. I ran away for a few days right before I got sent away, because I just needed to "get away". At least, thats' what I thought. I called my parents every day I was gone to let them know I was ok. Most kids who run away probably didn't do that, but I felt bad! So I got home... came home by my own will, went to bed that night and was woken up at 4am by two escorts and taken away, to ASCENT. I was told it was a 6 week program and I'd be coming home afterwards. I was not the type of kid who needed to be there. I was terribly afraid. I cried almost the entire time and Mike Dimico informed me that I had no spine. I was told I had been molested when I was younger (not even close to true) and that must be the reason I was afraid of the adult males there. Um, no, they were just FREAKING SCARY for a shy, lonely, confused 16 year old girl! My parents had NO idea what was going on... my letters to them were screened, so all I said was happy stuff. They thought I was doing great. They even told me at graduation that my parents were there to take me home... they weren't. More escorts were there to take me to Mission Mountain School, and all girls boarding school where I stayed until I was 18.
To this day I have dreams about all that stuff. My parens and I get along great and they've heard all the horror stories and agree that I "probably didn't need a program quite like ASCENT". But from what they read about it, and out of sheer desperation, it sounded like a good place. Fortunately I wasn't traumatized by any of it. I've moved on, I went to college, graduated with a BA in Psychology, am going to school to become a massage therapist now, living with a wonderful man and have a fabulous relationship with my parents. (Happy Mothers Day :smile: )
Anyway, I don't have as scary of a story as some, but that's mine. I can't believe they can convince parents that what they are doing is actually good. I can say though, that going on course at ASCENT was an awesome experience for me. My course leaders were awesome. I had lived a pretty sheltered life til that point, had never even been camping! I learned how strong I was, that I could carry a 50+ pound backpack on 11 mile hikes, could sleep under a tarp in the middle of the woods, not shower for 14 days, and survive. It was a wonderful life lesson for me that I wouldn't take back.
Intersted in hearing other stories that aren't SOOOO negative. Though, trust me, I understand why some of them are! I was there... I saw what happened. There were some kids who were definitely more defiant than I was. I went along because I was TERRIFIED. Some didn't.
Sarah H., Portland, OR
ASCENT survivor :lol:
