At SUWS wilderness treatment program, students work through addiction, depression, developmental disorders, and behavioral issues with experienced staff members in a supportive outdoor environment free from the stresses and distractions of everyday life. If left untreated, the continued use of these drugs can cause extreme difficulties in your childs life. I paid the kid who drove me home, and walked to my school, this was on a Tuesday afternoon. SUWS changed my life and my families because now I'm happy and they are happy too. Also, my AAA wilderness program was based in Loa, Utah. Glad you are ok now, sorry you had to go through all of that. Definitely, Heidi Reilly said. There were many struggles that I had but it all has helped me grow and become the person I am today. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The ride was long and everything seemed fine to me. Children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 17 can be treated at one of our programs, Approach, Phoenix Outdoor, Seasons, and SUWS, which are all located in North Carolina. The letter said the facility follows a six-day training program and attached a schedule outlining which activities take place on specific days. Compare pay for popular roles and read about the team's work-life balance. To parents who are reading this, I highly recommend that you research a lot about sending your child away because it still effects me and haunts me today that i will get sent back. We had fun and learned so much it really was life changing. SUWS of the Carolinas corporate office is located in 363 Graphite Rd, Old Fort, North Carolina, 28762, United States and has 57 employees. SUWS was an example of a challenge I needed at that point in my life. Throughout each program, students can benefit from recovery programming, experiential therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and other evidence-based modalities. For Reilly, most of their time was spent with their group of eight to 12 students, living in tents in the woods. We can answer any questions you might have about financing your child's treatment with us. I think a lot of it has to do with your tolerance for physical discomfort and your propensity for introspection. I was basically told that I was a drug addict because I smoked weed and that I was promiscuous but that religion and hiking through snow would save me. I use the term therapist still loosely, when I when I talked to my friends about it with the therapist I had, I say, loosely therapist because I dont think that that was the title, she said. When we transported teens, the parents would come into the bedroom with us, introduce us, and quickly explain what was going on. On the other hand, Aspen Ranch was horrific. SUWS of the Carolinas is an adolescent residential treatment center that has a focus on wilderness therapy interventions. I was in outback wilderness program in utah from november 2007-january 2008. Both Hyde and the letter from Trails Carolina to the senators acknowledged turnover his high; staff members supervising participants in the woods make minimum wage. Press J to jump to the feed. Yes, hiking was a struggle and it was hard at times but the instructors knew how to make it fun. Thank you for sharing all this, I'm horrified. At SUWS wilderness treatment program, students work through addiction, depression, developmental disorders, and behavioral issues with experienced staff members in a supportive outdoor environment free from the stresses and distractions of everyday life. We seek to raise awareness and to change the law to protect the teenagers in these programs from harm. Under the guidance of experienced professionals, wilderness therapy participants have the opportunity to step away from the pressures and distractions of daily life, address issues that have been preventing them from achieving to their true potential, and develop the skills and strategies that will support lasting success. I highly recommend this camp for any struggling teen who had failed to respond to at home punishments. Usually there was only 1 "buffalo/eagle" per group, reserved for the most senior kid who is responsible for the chores , setup/breakdown of camp and ensuring that there isn't a trace of us left behind. Our campus is situated in the breathtaking Pisgah National Forest, which features vast mountains, waterfalls, and hundreds of miles of trails. At least 2 people have died on site from the "torture as therapy" of SUWS wilderness programs. The facility advertises itself as a therapeutic wilderness program that aims to improve the lives of children and teenagers. Old Fort, N.C. (PRWEB) June 17, 2008 SUWS of the Carolinas wilderness program in North Carolina was recently featured in the Concord Monitor, as part of the story of Carolynne St. Pierre who died Feb. 10, 2007, at the age of 44, after a three-year battle with a rare form of liver cancer. She was 16 at the time and had no clue what was going on. SUWS of the Carolinas provides adventure-based therapeutic programming for young people ages 10-17. Everyone starts out as a "mouse" for a 3-4 days. Community Resources OR Local Mental Health Support Groups, 363 Graphite Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762. Many of my fellow group members are at a theroputic boarding school which is probably the scariest part of SUWS because you don't know if you are going to get sent to one or not. I was experimenting with all types of drugs and hanging out with some pretty bad people before I was sent away. A boy died in the group right before ours. I could tell people stuff about it, if they want to know. A second later, a man and woman came into her room dressed in a uniform. Personally, I never had to handcuff anyone in the situation you describe, and I did about 30 transports. But their interest includes those who went there before the fall of 2006 as well. I've checked them out and they are legit. Unfortunately, they can't use anything that's posted. Therapy wasnt really part of the program it was more of just breaking you the therapists were only show up for an hour or two a week so after being in the wilderness program for the second time I was just moved to Sun Hawk in Saint George And thats a whole Nother hell of a story. SUWS of the Carolinas offers residential treatment for individuals with alcohol and/or substance addiction. Children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 17 can be treated at one of our programs, Approach, Phoenix Outdoor, Seasons, and SUWS, which are all located in North Carolina. Its just, that was, again its just part of the process, yeah, Im in the woods.. An error has occured. So we were in the town of Asheville, North Carolina, where we walk into a convenience store. If you run, I will tackle you. They take your shoes at night so you dont run which eventually led to frostbite a month later just from having to pee in the middle of the night. Since its founding, Trails has helped make a difference in the lives of more than 2,800 adolescents. Birdeye helps millions of local businesses to be found online with all their reviews and accurate business information. What access to mental health services were available? What US Code laws allow this, and what State Laws allow this? There are so many things that are awful in this story, you and the other kids did not deserve to be treated like that. I spent a few minutes on google looking at these camps. Thats shorter than what an attorney for Trails Carolina recently told members of the N.C. Senate, who wrote a letter to the camp raising various questions about its program. Not here.. A short time later, I arrived in North Carolina, where I was taken to SUWS of the Carolinas, a wilderness therapy program. We had a journal that we could right in and we also were given as much letter writing paper we needed. It was there for roughly one month before my parents finally agreed to pull me Out and bring me back home (thanks to the advice from my AAA therapist, Dave, who went to visit me at the ranch one day and called my parents to tell them the Ranch was undoing all the progress I made at AAA). The kids are bored and under stimulated so they find ways to get into trouble. socially intolerable. We were denied basic hygiene all the time. SUWS of the Carolinas is located in Old Fort, North Carolina, and provides wilderness therapy programming for youths ages 10-17. I was 13. Lots of my classmates thought the wilderness was much worse. Walking around the bus station, my friend points out that the guy that he pocketed the wallet from was following us. This represents an important step to combat youth and young adult suicide as we join numerous other organizations supplying the state with the tools and resources needed., SUWS of the Carolinas is committed to helping young people work through the challenges they face, said Daniel Fishburn, CEO of SUWS of the Carolinas. Their work is proven in the 5-year outcome study that shows decreases in students anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance use. I enjoyed SUWS and miss all the people I became so close to there. Out leading wilderness treatment centerprovide a wide variety of therapeutic methods that will help your son or childreplace negative thought patterns, manage the symptoms of a co-occurring mental health condition, and learn the skills needed to prevent relapse. His professional background is in outdoor guiding and he figured he was well-equipped to work with kids in the wilderness. I made it to "buffalo" a week or two before i got sent to graduation group. I think they used lies and manipulation and shaming and some very, you know, abusive tactics.. It was gone. We didn't really get severely punished, they just took us out of the group that we were in and got sent to H, the base camp for the program where all the new kids spend their first days at. Every sunrise signals the start of a new set of unique experiences, engaging therapeutic activities, and dynamic opportunities for healthy growth and development. 2023 Health. My parents needed a way to send me back to NC because they could not afford to hire escorts to take me back, so my uncle did us the favor and flew me to NC. SUWS of the Carolinas / 363 Graphite Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762 /(828) 489-3198. SUWS is set in a gorgeous area of western NC. It is such a major concern in our world, and it is very dear to my heart. The accounts about AAA referenced here seem fairly accurate, however, I look back on my experience differently. SUWS is set in a gorgeous area of western NC. I worked as an adolescent transport agent, some years back, and I'm almost certain I took one teen to SUWS. I dont think my mom had any idea what she was doing when she signed her right away to send me to Aspen. It strikes me as strange, however, that other students who went there seem to have the opposite stance. It sounds a lot like ShearGenius's post but not as wilderness-y. Pros. But there were others, i vaguely remember the names Twin Peaks, and Ascension having a more troubling rep with the kids. Heidi Reilly and her husband made the decision to send their daughter, Kathleen, to Trails Carolina. I have a lot of abandonment issues, a lot of anxiety, panic disorder Its just not normal. Initial connection to the program through the internet and contact with the Admissions team was the key to our decisions to sending our son to SUWS. BREAKING: Four Huntersville schools on lockdown due to nearby police activity, Its beyond cruel: Inside an N.C. wilderness therapy program for teens, N.C. Quote, unquote therapy revolves around building resilience through, you know, physical hardship, sort of like a military, uh, boot camp or like seal training or something. The man said get the f*** up, youre going to camp, she recalled in a recent interview. Laws changed apparently in 2004 I think that made ALOT of the things they were doing illegal. SUWS and Aspen Achievement Academy set the standard of what a wilderness program should be. At SUWS wilderness treatment program, students work through addiction, depression, developmental disorders, and behavioral issues with experienced staff members in a supportive outdoor environment free from the stresses and distractions of everyday life. SUWS of the Carolinas is located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Old Fort, North Carolina. We had some serious behavior problems before that are 90% gone now. Said therapist recommended millions of parents to send there kids to boarding schools, but not just any boarding schools, Aspen boarding schools! I remember it being difficult, but not abusive (but thats just me). Parents have to be absolutely insane to handover their children after signing away any legal recourse. Wilderness is an ideal treatment environment for young people as it provides an opportunity for therapy to take place in a real-life setting. Kristin E. Stattels' Troubled Teens Survivor Network. SUWS of the Carolinas A Trusted Center for Wilderness & Adventure Treatment for Troubled Teens Phoenix Program Dual Diagnosis Ages 14-17 Seasons Program Developmental Disorders Ages 10-13 SUWS Program Behavioral and Developmental Ages 14-17 Expert Treatment in a Wilderness Setting An error has occured. I know it seems salty but the pics were just a service to parents, in helping them believe they just shipped their kid out to summer camp. devoted to SUWS of the Carolinas. I went to SUWS of the Carolinas for 11 weeks and "graduated" in April 07. I left that program wanting to change the course of my life. SUWS of the Carolinas operates within the Pisgah Nation Forest under permits issued by the United States Forest Service (USDA), and is subject to the USDA Civil Rights Non Discrimination agreement (Form AD-475-C). Its just its not normal. We can't say enough about the staff and program at SUWS. SUWS of the Carolinas has an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5, based on over 17 reviews left anonymously by employees. 2023 We immediately got arrested, and found out that the guy was an undercover cop following us after he saw us steal the clothes from the store. On a day that it was negative 12 degrees none of us were allowed to eat because our hands were too cold to bust a coal. 85% of employees would recommend working at SUWS of the Carolinas to a friend and 68% have a positive outlook for the business. What's your brothers name? We hid in the bathroom, but when we came out, there were four policemen waiting outside. While in our care, adolescents experience the benefits of trust, responsibility, and accountability as they reconnect with their best selves. SUWS of the Carolinas is a therapeutic wilderness treatment center that focuses on short-term, high-impact clinical intervention and therapy for adolescents, ages 10 to 17, who are struggling with club drug abuse. Outdoor Teen & Adolescent Club Drug Abuse Treatment Center, Community Resources OR Local Mental Health Support Groups, 363 Graphite Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, Higher risk of being the victim of assault. The next day, 2 AM, I get woken up by two really big guys at the foot of my bed, telling me to get up. At SUWS, we operate with a relational approach, because building trust within a therapeutic relationship has been demonstrated as the most beneficial way to illicit lasting change. The DHHS report investigating his death shows a deputy with the local sheriffs office said staff at Trails Carolina waited five hours before calling for help. Skip to Content (828) 489-3198 About . It was a hard decision to send here there, but absolutely no regrets. Club drugs are a group of psychoactive substances that are most commonly abused by adolescents and young adults at nightclubs, concerts, and parties. However, we are in agreement that the Carlbrook School is considerably more brutal. Hello I was in aaa G4 2001 2002 In Utah I had a horrible experience some not so bad times I escaped a couple of times from the wilderness program got giardia from drinking out of a bad stream well on the run somewhere in Utah desert they found me eventually with giardia you have uncontrolled diarrhea and vomiting which they made me hike 10+ miles a day for about a week before they brought me to a hospital where there was two kids from a different group who fell off a cliff chasing a Tabasco sauce bottle Which was Gold out there after getting out of the hospital they sent me to the ranch for a month to get better then they sent me back out to the wilderness program where I ran again multiple times getting in fights with staff restrained tied to the ground tied to a tree held restrained on the ground for multiple hours restricted water restricted from food that was on a daily occurrence at least with me I was on mouse most of the time I was there So no talking no communicating sitting outside the group no hot food you got a half a coffee can of water To bath yourself once a week. Sending our daughter to SUWS was one of the most difficult decisions we have ever had to make as parents, but we are so glad we did. I had brown hair. I had kids that tried running away. "SUWS of the Carolinas is committed to helping young people work . SUWS of the Carolinas is a rehab facility in Old Fort, NC. SUWS of the Carolinas operates within the Pisgah Nation Forest under permits issued by the United States Forest Service (USDA), and is subject to the USDA Civil Rights Non Discrimination agreement (Form AD-475-C). (It's the only time I was in Asheville.) If you are unable to read or view this page please call SUWS of the Carolinas at (828) 489-3198. I started selling weed brownies, and two days later, 2 cops show up at my doorstep, asking to search my house. The Jason Foundation is elated to begin working with SUWS of the Carolinas to provide the community with our programs and resources, said Brett Marciel, Chief Communications Officer of The Jason Foundation. The wilderness therapy offered at SUWS was the dynamic solution needed to help my son with his behavioral issues. Aspen Education Group is an American company specializing in providing therapeutic interventions for adolescents and young adults, including wilderness therapy programs, residential treatment centers, therapeutic boarding schools, and weight loss programs. No, definitely not. I enjoyed the work, but the company was centered on young people and older people had none to little chance for advancement. We all learned many skills that still help me today. Can you care to explain the legality of these ""Transport Services"? Cons. The participants are accompanied by three staff members, who are not trained as therapists and work for minimum wage, who are responsible for their day-to-day activities. Inspection reports from N.C. DHHS show Trails Carolina was cited for fifty deficiencies between 2010 and 2019, the last time an inspection was conducted. It was all boys except myself and another 17 year old girl. Your flight leaves in two hours.. What type of medical care was provided? They're also trained in all sorts of therapeutic styles so they are able to relate to young clients. The flying part was because of my uncle, who owns a watch company, and owns a private jet. socially intolerable. But he was not prepared for the level of care the teens he was with would require. WBTVs requested an interview with a DHHS leader to ask questions about Trails Carolinas history of deficiencies and the 2014 death but DHHS refused to answer questions. The next day, 2 AM, I get woken up by two really big guys at the foot of my bed, telling me to get up. Some of the most common issues we treat through these programs include substance abuse, behavioral issues, autism spectrum disorders, depression, mood disorders, and more. I also was at SUWS over my birthday which was sad, but I was able to have a little birthday party and my parents sent me a little gift which was really nice. I have recently found that outback is still active and its really painful for me to think that kids are being abused. They put me in a lincoln town car, and drove me up to North Carolina, where I was submitted to SUWS of the Carolinas. Our typical family has exhausted all local resources with school counselors, outpatient therapists, and other mental health professionals. I really didn't think anything of it and I was currently grounded for drinking and smoking pot so I had to agree to go. Even the first time using a club drug can result in death. Reilly said she felt traumatized by her time at Trails Carolina. SUWS of the Carolinas operates within the Pisgah Nation Forest under permits issued by the . 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