Ricky Zegelstein

Review of True North Wilderness Program

My son had a horrible experience and neither his e...

My son had a horrible experience and neither his educational consultant, owner and therapist and I realized he never should have been there. My son was bullied by the kids and staff. He also suffered from anxiety, depression and OCD. He now has PTSD as a result of the experience. I was totally misled by everything I was told and the owner did not allow my son to send letters out. They frequently did not eat. My son lost a lot of weight. If they could not make a fire, they did not eat. If the animals are their food, they did not eat. My son was on a medication that made him have balance problems and for that alone, he should not have been there, if nothing else. His pack was too heavy. He had difficulty with the hikes and the boys there and staff would not let him rest. My son had to keep a journal and is dysgraphic. When he made a mistake, the staff erased it and made him do it again. His therapist, an owner would not speak to him in therapy sessions if he complained. The owner said no one would help him and get him out. My son was an adult and could have left at any time. He should have left. My son tried to kill himself twice while there and the staff and owner said he was attention seeking. My son begged the owner not to send them on a difficult hike on their last hike. The sadistic owner did so again. I made complaints to the state to close the place and take away this man s license. My son should never have been there. I made a complaint with the police. My son is much worse for the experience and I am so sorry he ever went there. Do NOT send your child there.