I was there 30 years ago, canal, valley and farm..............We were all wayword kids heading down paths of self destruction. I don't understand all the hate being thrown at this place, today I am a very poor christian, but I am a Christian. I do know with all my heart that without the discipline and instruction I received there, I would be dead or in prison, undeniably.
It was strict, it was harsh at times and I was inundated, no......bombarded by God's word the entire time I was there. But it healed me. It was exactly what I needed, though I didn't know it at the time. I did know people who I believe had bad experiences there, and probably are some of the posters in this thread, but certainly not of the horrific nature I have read. It was more not fitting in or refusing to fit in or just plain rebellion which would have occured whether they were at Roloffs or not.
I would imagine that memories get exagerated over time, much like my sports endeavors when I recall them to colleagues....(I wasn't as good as I thought I was).
If you or someone you know or love had a bad experience, I hope that honest reflection reveals the truth of that experience, and if they were done wrong, I hope that it is righted to them in some way.
Anyway, that's my story and if you were hurt by your experience I'm very sorry, if true, my prayer is that it that you are restored for loss or pain. If not true, really lay off, this place helped alot of people like me.