Below:
• Questions to ask
A growing number of accidental deaths and reports of abuse have made wilderness boot camps extremely controversial. If you're determined to send your child to a wilderness-therapy camp, make sure to investigate the program thoroughly before taking action. Questions to ask • Is the camp licensed through a state agency? If so, call the agency and ask about the program's reputation. Find out whether any complaints have been filed. |
| •What kind of mental health professionals are on staff? What are their degrees? (Check with any institutions named to make sure they are valid.) How many hours a day are they available? |
| •What kind of medical professionals are on staff? Are they available 24-hours-a-day? Do the camp counselors who will be hiking and camping in the desert with your child have medical and first aid training? |
| •What are the backgrounds of the counselors? Can you see their resumes? Has the camp done criminal background checks on all of them? |
| •What is the ratio of children to camp counselors? (Three to one is considered good.) |
| •What is the staff members' average length of employment? (Three to four years is considered good. High turnover is indicative of problems.) |
| •What is the average age of the children in the program? |
| •How do most children end up there? Are they sent by the courts or by their parents? What kinds of children will your child be staying with? |
| •What types of activities will your child be participating in? Does the camp permit the use of force or use restraints? |
| •Can the parent visit the facility unannounced, at any time? (You should insist on this.) |
| •Are the child's letters home censored in any way? (Some programs have not allowed children to send letters complaining about the way they're treated.) |
| •Can you talk with your child at least once a week? |
Last updated October 20, 2008
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