Safety Net

The current and historical concerns over the safety of wilderness programs have motivated us to take a moment and outline the procedures Aspen Achievement Academy follows to ensure the safety of students.

1. The current Aspen approach is "soft" compared to the in-your-face confrontational style typically associated with wilderness programs. We believe that the wilderness itself has enough of an impact on most students. The treatment philosophy employed at Aspen is one that focuses on internalization and self-motivation rather than force or coercion. The few students who do not respond positively to this style and who may continue to manipulate or threaten are removed from the group. At this time, an individual plan and a "quest" is developed for the student, after which he/she is either returned to the group or placed in another group for a fresh start.

2. Each student is given a full medical exam, as well as a drug screen, prior to entering the field. Each day student health concerns are addressed. Foot checks are done every morning and evening by field staff. First aid for cuts and scrapes is administered whenever needed. A member of the medical team is in the field weekly, evaluating each student in each group to address situations before they become crises. If the student has a medical problem not treatable in the field, they are brought into the clinic or a nearby hospital for treatment. If a student has symptoms that are vague, persistent, or difficult to diagnose, they are also brought into the clinic for immediate evaluation. We have 24-hour access to a registered nurse and our Medical Director. If input is needed or a case is questionable, our medical director works with us to determine if a student has physical problems, which would exclude him or her from our physically rigorous program.

3. All instructors are certified in first aid and CPR. Many have more extensive medical training. We also have an Emergency Response Team ("ERT") that is available at any time to respond to an emergency situation, whatever it might be. This team is made up of back-up personnel, various directors, and other support people. Two of the ERT team members have radio base stations in their homes, which are monitored 24 hours per day. This is a back-up system for Unit 0.

4. Unit O (a trained back-up person or field staff) stays out in the field 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The ability to maintain constant radio communication is provided by the strategic placement of two radio repeaters. This is mainly the case in the summer when we are on the west side of Boulder Mountain where communications are more limited than in the desert during the winter. Unit O would also be one of the first people to respond to an emergency in the field and to activate the emergency response team and any other needed support.

5. Each group in the field has two radios and extra batteries. Groups are required to make contact with base or Unit O every day at 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. At this time they inform us of their location, where the next location will be, group status, and if there are any group needs.

6. Each group has a therapist responsible for that group. All therapists have a minimum of a Master's degree. These therapists do individual and group therapy with the students and are in the field at least two days a week. They also supervise the field staff in working with students and implementing therapeutic goals and Interventions. Our Clinical Director is responsible for supervising the therapists and assists in dealing with therapeutic issues that arise in the field.

7. Staff changes occur weekly, which allows refreshed personnel to handle the demanding effort required in the field.

8. A fresh "re-supply" of food is given to each group each week. The caloric demands of growing adolescents who are physically active are calculated by a dietitian. The amount and type of food issued are based on this determination. Students get fresh vegetables, fruit on a regular basis (delivered by therapists, medical personnel, the education director and clinical director, all who are in the field at least weekly), a spice kit, and basic staples that are nourishing. In addition, when students progress through the phases, they are given extra "special" food, including things like pudding, peanut butter, canned chicken, hot chocolate, and popcorn.

9. Aspen field staff are hired only after a thorough evaluation which includes time on the trail and criminal background checks. All staff who are hired go through a 21-day internship training in order to assess how they interact with students, other staff, therapists, and support people. This ensures that members of our staff possess a caring and nurturing character, good boundaries and general emotional health, and an ability to be firm and loving at the same time.

10. Every student is oriented to the grievance process before they are taken into the field. If a student has an issue they can relate this to the staff. A senior instructor is notified of any grievance; the instructor is then responsible to report the issue to the therapist or the ERT team so the grievance can be addressed immediately.

11. Mail from students is brought in and mailed twice weekly. Mail is not read by Aspen staff unless requested by the student or the parents.