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New Perspectives - Dec,
1994 Issue #31
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PARADISE COVE
Vailaasia Beach--Augaga, Western Samoa
Lisa Irvin, Admissions
1-800-637-0701
by Linda Shaffer
"Living at the beach" in Paradise Cove's program for teens in Western Samoa became a new
opportunity for male adolescents this fall. This approximately one year experience consists of a life of grass huts as more a part
of the day's norm than stateside TV's, video games, stereos, and shopping malls.
Experienced staff from southern Utah's Cross Creek Manor and Brightway Adolescent Hospital
programs are directing the Paradise Cove Program presently for 20 male adolescents.
Paradise Cove works with teens struggling in their home, school or community. The setting
they find at Paradise Cove is a tropical, tranquil one in the Samoan culture well known for its strong family emphasis, respect for
authority, and care for others.
Utilizing a 12-step counseling component, young men have the opportunity to sort out their
lives and make a new start. The teens participate in daily emotional growth and personal development courses. They also spend a full
academic day (Monday-Friday) working on academic credits and skills through an individual study course accredited in the United States.
Teens are tutored by a teacher, and in most cases can earn credits on an accelerated basis.
In the Samoan way of working hard and also playing hard, teens at Paradise Cove have a recreational
program offering swimming, sliding on natural waterfalls, snorkeling, fishing, and various sports. The simple living style removes
the distractions of the fast lane allowing students to focus on their own personal growth. Paradise Cove states their goal is to assist
teens to become internally motivated.
Copyright © 1994, Woodbury Reports, Inc. (This article may be reproduced
without prior approval if the copyright notice and proper publication and author attribution accompanies the copy.)
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