Wilderness Schools Need Self-Policing

Wilderness therapy programs have had their successes.

For example, sweethearts Lee Cunningham and Anna Seymour of Bonner County, Idaho, owe much to the Rocky Mountain Academy in neighboring Boundary County for helping them turn their lives around. Said Lee: “If it wasn’t for that school, there’s no telling where I would be. I learned a very good work ethic. I learned what true friendship is about.”

Yet, a cloud hangs over such programs.

Four teenagers have died in the past five years while participating in survival-type therapy. Employees of a Utah program will stand trial this year on charges involving the death of a 16-year-old during a desert outing in 1994. The teen died from a perforated ulcer after allegedly being deprived of food, shelter and clothing.

Nearer home, a North Idahoan could face trial this summer on charges - including assault, deviant sexual conduct and criminal endangerment - stemming from his operation of a “behavioral growth school” at Anaconda, Mont.

Of course, managers of Inland Northwest wilderness schools don’t like being lumped together with controversial programs. Yet, they have themselves to blame for the problem. Few rules guide them. And they’ve been reluctant to police themselves.

The rapidly growing industry would be wise to submit to a voluntary accreditation program - before an incident attracts bureaucrats and cumbersome regulations. Some already do seek approval from organizations such as the National Association for Legal Support of Alternative Schools.

Desperate parents should have an independent source to consult about a therapy program before they refinance homes or raid college funds to pay the hefty tuitions. They deserve an assurance that their little monsters won’t be harmed, or worse.

These therapy programs fill an important niche for parents dealing with uncontrollable youngsters. Youths from all over the country are flocking to some 20 regional programs to learn how to get along, how to stay off drugs, how to study, how to know themselves.

In the process, the therapy programs have given the Inland Northwest an important economic boost. CEDU Inc., which runs four programs for troubled teens in Boundary County, alone employs 280 people.

Now, however, Idaho has no rules for programs in which children stay nine weeks or less. Washington has stricter licensing requirements but also many exemptions, including ones for boarding schools and seasonal programs that last less than three months.

There’s too much room for mischief.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = D.F. Oliveria/For the editorial board