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, Montana, and Canada. 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 one instructor for every four students. When your child is asleep, the night supervision ratio are 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 is 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 "base-camp" model mean?
At ASCENT, your child's first weeks are spent at one of our two established base camps. Here your child is given ample time to integrate into our program, and adjust to the new structure and outdoor life-style, and we have time to assess him or her. This creates a level of safety not found in traditional wilderness programs where your child is immediately sent into the woods.
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 you 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 refer you to a reliable transport agent 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.
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