FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What kind of therapy will my child receive?
Your child will be assigned a licensed therapist who will do an
initial assessment on your child. This clinician will be actively
involved with your child, providing individual and group therapy.
Your child's clinician will communicate weekly with you and any
associated professionals to report on your child's progress. In
addition, you will receive a detailed discharge summary that
outlines future treatment recommendations for your child.
My child hasn't done much hiking and isn't particularly athletic,
does that matter?
No. You do not have to be an athlete or an experienced hiker to have
a successful experience at Ascent. During the Orientation and
Pre-Course phase of our program, we will prepare your child for
their backpacking experience. Your child will participate in day
hikes and physical training, in addition, they will learn outdoor
skills and will feel confident in their abilities when they
transition to the Course phase.
What does the hiking expedition involve?
Along with their peer group, your child will hike several miles each
day. With the assistance of our staff, your child will set-up and
break down their own camp and will prepare their own meals, which
are planned and approved by a registered dietician. The Course group
receives regular supplies of fresh food. Our expeditions take place
in public forests in Idaho and Montana. The trip itinerary is filed
with the respective local regulatory agency, and each expedition is
issued a permit prior to departure. Course instructors have radio
communication and logistic and emergency support 24-hours-a-day, and
they check-in with base camp twice daily.
What is the staff-to-student ratio?
In camp, instructors are organized in teams of 1:4. When your child
is asleep, the night supervision ratio is 1:6, with at least two
awake staff members at all times. During the expedition, staffing
increases to 1:3 students.
What kind of training does your staff have?
All of our staff are thoroughly trained and certified in CPR and CPI
(Crisis Prevention and Intervention) and have undergone rigorous
background checks before hiring. Our lead wilderness instructors
have a minimum of five years experience that includes 300 days in
the field with children. They also complete an 80-hour Wilderness
First Responder medical training course and are licensed as outdoor
guides by the State of Idaho.
How do you handle emergencies?
We have a detailed emergency-response plan in place that is
frequently reviewed; we hold simulated evacuation exercises
regularly in conjunction with local emergency response teams. We
maintain an excellent collaborative relationship with our
community's emergency-services personnel.
My child is currently taking medication. How do you handle this?
Our staff nurse will coordinate and manage the distribution of your
child's medications.
What kind of clothing should I send with my child?
We provide all of your child's clothing, gear, and hygiene items.
The costs of these items are included in the tuition. Your child
will be attired in the same functional clothing as all of the other
students. This is done to eliminate the distraction that clothing
and fashion typically present to an adolescent.
What does a basecamp model mean?
At Ascent, your child's first weeks are spent at basecamp. Here your
child is given ample time to integrate into our program and adjust
to new structure and an outdoor lifestyle. Basecamp allows for a
comprehensive assessment process in a safe environment. This creates
a level of safety not found in traditional wilderness programs where
your child is immediately taken to join a group in the wilderness to
hike.
Is Ascent affiliated with a religion or specific spiritual
belief?
No. Our program is secular.
Do you offer academics?
Our program is designed to assist your child in identifying the core
issues that have stood in the way of success in their relationships
and often in the classroom. We assist your child in returning to the
classroom with a better understanding of personal accountability, a
spirit of investment, and motivation to succeed. Some school
districts accept your child's written portfolio and outdoor
experience for credit. We are happy to work with you and your
child's school to ascertain if academic credit will be granted.
What are the other kids at Ascent like?
Participants enter the program with a wide variety of issues.
Although their manifestations can be different, most often the
underlying issues are quite similar. Our participants are wonderful
kids with supportive families; they have gotten off track and need
guidance and structure to help them make better choices. They want
to experience success but can't seem to find their way. Ascent can
help.
Is it safe?
Safety is paramount at Ascent. It is important to know that although
our setting feels remote, the nearest hospital is less than seven
miles away. Unlike traditional wilderness programs, where your child
is immediately outfitted with a backpack and sent into the
wilderness, at Ascent your child spends their first weeks at our
permanent base camp. Here they receive clinical and health
assessments and are given time to adjust to the new structure and
outdoor life-style. Your son or daughter will participate in an
exercise program and skills trainings designed to prepare them for
the backpacking experience.
My daughter won't do anything that I ask. How can I get her to
Ascent?
If you choose, we can arrange for safe, in-home enrollment, and
reliable escorts to bring your child to Ascent. Please ask your
admissions counselor for more information.
Where is Ascent?
Ascent is located in the pristine Selkirk Mountains of Idaho. The
largest nearby town is Sandpoint, which is accessible from domestic
and international flights via Spokane International Airport (GEG).
Vacation areas surround Ascent, so numerous options are available
for accommodations in the Idaho cities of Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry,
Hope, Priest Lake and Coeur d'Alene. Accommodations are also
available within driving distance in Spokane, Washington; Nelson and
Kootenai Lake, BC, Canada; and in northwestern Montana. The
Sandpoint, Idaho, region is surrounded by beautiful lakes,
mountains, and rivers that attract visitors from all over the world.
In addition to its natural resources, Sandpoint is a hub for music,
art, culture, and recreation. Snow-filled winters offer fantastic
downhill and Nordic skiing at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. In other
seasons, Lake Pend Oreille, the fifth-largest lake in the western
United States, is home to world-class fishing and boating. We invite
you to come visit us at any time.
For additional area information you may visit the following web
sites:
http://www.sandpointonline.com
http://www.sandpoint.com
