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New
Perspectives -
Apr, 2001 Issue #80
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Timber Ridge
Clark Fork, Idaho
Mike and Cindy Scott, Owner/Operators
208-266-1465
[New Perspective] Nestled in the woods of North Idaho, a family who has been operating the beautiful Cabinet Mountain Inn is now converting this large log home and acreage into a transitional program for a few girls. Located in the woods a few miles from the small town of Clark Fork, in Northern Idaho, on a clear day the mountains can be seen through the forest that surrounds the house. Inside, the elegant but rustic log and tile décor is quite attractive. There are sufficient bedrooms so that there can be two girls per room, with an anticipated capacity of at least six girls. In addition to house parents Mike and Cindy Scott and their family, there are two full time teacher/counselors associated with the Timber Ridge program who can help the girls with their correspondence courses and their therapeutic issues. Curriculum from either the University of Idaho or the University of Nebraska will be used to satisfy credits towards graduation. Phil Jones, a former police officer who has worked with emotional growth programs for a number of years, will provide academic support and counseling. Robina Scarlet, a substitute teacher for the Clark Fork school system will be bringing in a portion of her cottage manufacturing business to teach the girls business skills and how to sew custom garments for themselves. In addition to their academics, the girls will also have the opportunity to attend a local non-denominational youth group, AA meetings, and learn culinary arts. There is a stable of 12-15 horses nearby for the girls to learn to ride and help care for. They also will be able to learn food and flower gardening. Since the house had formerly been an inn, there are ample bedrooms and bathrooms for the girls, as well as guest quarters for their parents when they come to visit. The Scott family has their quarters in a separate part of the house, right next to the girl’s bedrooms. Although located in the woods in a very rural area, the hospital is near by, and a variety of opportunities for cultural entertainment exist in nearby towns. In the right circumstance, it might also be appropriate for a girl to attend the small Clark Fork High School. This program provides an opportunity for girls who have already started their emotional growth work, to have some time to finish their high school credits, and take a break from the pressures of their former environment. The staff will provide them the opportunity to develop their academic skills, interact within a small community, and learn to develop skills in a variety of areas that could become life-long hobbies or source of livelihood.
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1999-2001, 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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