On 2006-01-23 20:30:00, HLA Truth wrote:
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On 2006-01-23 20:22:00, Anonymous wrote:
"My concerns are again:
I've heard that drugs are rampant on campus.
Children are punished for exhibiting psychological symptoms such as cutting, restricting food.
Restrictions are handed out for the smallest infractions to the point where many of the kids restrictions pile into days, then weeks, and so on.
I was told at my campus orientation that Ridge Creek was used as a last resort measure, which I know is not true...and even though I liked Steve Sorrell I have an issue that the treatment there is far from being therapeutic.
I sent my child to this camp in the hopes that he would find healthy interests like art, music, drama, all the things that sold me on the program on the first place, but instead he is endlessly chopping wood.
I've heard of an incident in the dorm that sent one boy to the hospital if you are affiliated with HLA you will be familiar with the incident.
My child is behind academically because of going to Ridge Creek and because of this now he may lose his next visit.
These are a few of my concerns and why I am making travel arrangements as we speak."
Fair enough. I think you have some valid concerns. Concerns that I would have if I had my child at HLA. You also have some misconceptions that I will attempt to clear up.
Look for a posting on this thread sometime tomorrow morning. It will be lengthy, and I am going to bed now.
Good night, all."
Sorry that it has taken so long to get back with you on these points...
Drugs are rampant on campus- Yes, we had some kids recently who were caught with drugs on campus. Three kids actually shared one joint that one of them had snuck onto campus. All students involved went to Ridge Creek. Other than that one incident there have been no other times in recent memory that drugs have been on campus. On the rare occasion, however, they do get onto campus.
Students are punished for cutting or restricting food- Actually the opposite is true. We have a policy against this. I will note that this has not always been the policy. Years ago students were put on restrictions for such things. I believe the program is much more clinically sound now than it was in the early days. This does not mean that kids who do these things are exempt from restrictions if they do other things that would get every other kid on restriction. If their state of mind is too severe to handle typical student life here, we will reccomend that they move on to more of a hospital setting.
Mulitiple days on restriction- THis is an exageration of the facts. Yes, kids can build up multiple days on restrictions and in the past kids were on restriction for an infinite ammount of time. Now, if a kid is on restrictions for more than 15 days in one month, we hold a special staffing to determine how to get that child back on track. This will often result in sending the child to RCI. When they come back, the slate is wiped clean. If they don't go to RCI, we look at creative ways in which we can get the kids off of restrictions and able to join the majority of the student body who are not on restrictions.
RCI as a last resort- In my mind RCI is used as a last resort, other than dismissing a child. There are certain behaviors, however, that will almost automatically send a child to RCI such as intimidation of another student, physical violence, bring drugs onto campus, abusing medications. Pretty much anything that severly inhibits the groth of another student. In terms of RCI not being clinical enough, I don't think you will find another wilderness program in the country that is more clinical. All of their therapists are state licensed and the program is licensed by the state as well. They are very clinical.
Your child is always on restriction- This is where I would challenge you a bit. If your child is always on restriction and unable to participate in the fun activities of the school, I would put that problem back onto your child. He has the ability to not be on restrictions. I want you to realize that 80% of the school is NOT on restrictions. Most of them are going about their business, following the rules, and being able to participate in activities. Let your child work through the beginning part of this program and realize that he has to be the one to make the changes.
Boy to the hospital- Yes. This did occur. Several boys beat up another boy for making racial remarks to one of them. All of the boys involved are now at RCI. The boy that got beat up went to the hospital to get stitches in his lip. HLA is vigilent at stopping any violence or intimidation on campus. Once it is found out it is dealt with swiftly. HLA has not tolerance for this kind of thing on its campus.
Academically behind after RCI- Kids are given six weeks to make up their work following RCI. Also, student are allowed to work on their academics while they are at RCI. You may not want to hear this, but if your child has not gotten themselves complete after RCI, it is entirely their fault. The kids are given plenty of time to catch up and the vast majority of kids get caught up very quickly. If your child is truly working and still having trouble getting caught up, I encourage you to call the academic department and discuss what the problem is. They will work with you. Just make sure your child is TRULY working and not just trying to make excuses for himself. Again, the VAST majority of kids make their academic work up very quickly.
I hope this has been of some help to you. I am sure much of what I have written will now get trashed. Just remember, there is a big difference in how things are now as opposed to when most of the posters on this site were here. Ultimately, you have to decide what is best for your child and only you can decide that. Good luck and maybe I will see you when you come up.
