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Seen 'n Heard - July 2001 Issue (page
1)
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Page 1 of 3 - Next
RIDGE CREEK GRADUATES THREE CLASSES
(June 19, 2001) J.J. Williams, Admissions Director of Ridge Creek,
Dahlonega, GA, 706-867-1720, announced they have successfully graduated 3 classes since their June 4 start-up. New classes will start
on July 9, July 23, August 6 and August 20. Ridge Creek was started by Hidden Lake Academy as a stand alone wilderness program.
A & E TV STRUGGLES WITH ACCURACY AND SENSATIONALISM
(June 20, 2001) Bill Kurkis, Executive Producer of A & E TV’s recently aired “Investigative Reports” segment about
wilderness programs for at-risk youth, seemed to have had a hard time maintaining a grasp on accuracy while lurching for ratings by
sensationalizing the well publicized tragedies. Any attempt at a balanced portrayal of the students’ progress through RedCliff
Ascent in Utah was undermined with questioning tones of voice and terms like “Abducted,” “Forced,” and “Dangerous.” Kurkis
did not communicate that the three Utah tragedies upon which the segment focused occurred in programs that were philosophically “Boot
Camps,” which although staged in the wilderness, were not representative of the wilderness therapy approach. The first
segment described a death in the now defunct Wilderness Challenger program, who had advertised themselves as a “boot camp for troubled
teens.” The segment showing “Horsehair’s” verbal onslaughts on a young man seemed to be an old clip from the Challenger program
and reflected a drill sergeant approach rather than the way in which a wilderness counselor works with young people. The second
death described occurred in the Vision Summit program, a spin off program with ex-Challenger staff who had never ran a program before,
nor had the program any track record on which it could be evaluated by prospective parents. The third program and death, was
in Northstar Expeditions, which was owned and operated by Horsehair and other field staff from Challenger. Kurkis ignored
the fact that these programs were criticized and avoided all along by legitimate wilderness therapy professionals. Likewise he
ignored the industry’s efforts to prevent new harsh boot camp approaches that were implicated in the three deaths, from being used
in other programs. Kurkis also created an inaccurate impression regarding the State of West Virginia’s closure action against
Alldredge Academy, since he neglected to also report the stay on that action the next working day by a Judge. Overall all, Kurkis
might deserve a C- on professionalism, if a person wants to be generous. This explains to me why, when I want accuracy and fairness,
I don’t go to A & E.
TREX NOW OFFERS ROLLING ENROLLMENT AND EXTENDED STAY
(June 20, 2001) Gabriel Rivera, Executive Director of Trex,
located in Bend, Oregon, 541-385-0323, contacted Woodbury Reports about its evolving menu of services. Their Wilderness Program is
a minimum of 21 days, and “applicants can enroll at anytime and stay as long as needed.” They also offer a residential option for
extended intervention and support.
PAUL TAYLOR IS NEW DIRECTOR OF COPPER CANYON
(June 20, 2001) Tammy Behrmann, President of Copper Canyon, Rimrock, Arizona, 520-567-1322, announced that Paul Taylor
will become Copper Canyon’s Director. Tammy intends to remain actively involved in the program, but looks forward to Paul’s leadership
to allow her additioal time with her family, since she has recently remarried. Darren Prince, Susan Coatney or Tammy Behrmann will
continue to be the contacts for questions regarding admissions.
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