Redcliff ascent Reviews

When our son became impossible to manage, our therapist recommended "Wilderness Therapy" a brand new term to us. We are so happy to have discovered RedCliffAscent. We were initially attracted by its report of positive one year outcomes, its long tradition, and no frills "nomadic" hiking. Other camps advertised more experiential skills-building that we thought our son could manipulate. He learned to carry his own pack, work hard, receive feedback from peers, journal, and avoid electronics, a huge impediment to interacting with his parents. Real changes that came incrementally over 3 months. With guidance from competent staff, ie field leaders who camp directly with students and dedicated counselors, our son mustered the resilience to complete his 8+ weeks of "phase work": completing reflective exercises such as writing autobiographical statements, reading weekly "parent narratives" on themes such as honesty, trust, love, group sharing exercises and rituals, and learning active outdoorsmanship skills such as fire building). The program staff supported us through complex issues such as payment, insurance, safe transport (against his will), and "aftercare" ie transition to therapeutic boarding school. Our son's counselor was especially gifted, professional, and dedicated. He expertly guided our son, as well as ourselves through a delicate program of reading, self reflection, honesty, and exchange of heartfelt letters. After 3 months, we find our son is more mature, more receptive to feedback, more reflective (coming from zero!) and more willing to be "parented". We strongly recommend RedCliffAscent, an excellent "wilderness therapy" program!

RedCliff Ascent was my son's 4th placement in a year and by far the best! It provided a safe environment to allow my son to grow and learn. One thing that is truly amazing about wilderness is the opportunity to cut out all distractions. The entire staff are in unison and really help to foster the best for the students. My son went into RCA after being treatment resistant, high risk, and not caring to do any work. After great work from the staff (and an exceptional therapist) he got it together and really had a shift in his direction for life, motivation, and self awareness. Graduation was the true testament of RCA. My son kept telling me how thankful he was to have gone and was so thrilled to share his new skills and all about his experience; he genuinely loved it and was grateful for his time there. RCA was, truly, a life saver!

We had an amazing experience with the staff at RCA! We cannot begin to express our gratitude to everyone there who impacted our son and helped him along his continued path to health and recovery. Kaylie and John, there are no words. You held our son in such a caring and safe environment. It is scary trusting the process. It is difficult letting go and letting others take on the hard work and dedication it takes to help troubled teens find themselves. The path to recovery and wholeness is not linear. It is filled with bumps and uncertainty. It was not until RCA that we got not only great care for our son, but excellent support and TONS of excellent resources. USE them. The Parallel Process by Krissy Pozatek is a MUST for any parent to read who's teen is in wilderness or you are considering it. You, as a parent or guardian HAVE to be willing to change and grow while your son/daughter is here. To do anything less is simply not an option. So many staff members are to be thanked! Your work within the field is and was so deeply appreciated! The food is NOT horrible, its different and healthier from the overly processed stuff these kids are used to eating. Walking? Good for the body. No electronics. Sign me up! We are forever indebted to EVERYONE. DEEP bow of gratitude to everyone!

My son entered into treatment unwilling to talk about any of the things he was feeling or accept help on how to deal with his anger. His therapist and the staff have given my son TONS of tools to deal with life. I am so grateful that they were able to reach him when I was simply not able to get through to him. Their communication with parents while your child is out in wilderness is excellent. I felt like I always knew how he was doing each week.

I went to RCA and it was the worst experience of my life! There were several times I had to hike miles with out water. I injured my leg and the next day they made me hike the hardest mountain at RCA. I still to this day have nightmares about this place. This place will not make your children respect you it will just make them afraid to go back.

P.S To the owner ( I wouldn t expect you to say you see anything that s going on when your making a profit from it )

I was able to witness RedCliff Ascent in the field and was impressed by the staff and participants. They provide a much-needed service for these young adults. They create an atmosphere where they can build self-confidence and responsibility in the kids. They have also been great community partners.

I went here at first it feel like your doomed but at some point you realize that you just need to toughen up and go with the program. I ended up graduating and being one of the first new groups called the ravens it was good and bad times. Now I m preparing myself and getting ready to be a field staff next year.

RedCliff Ascent was absolutely the best decision we could have made for our 16 year old daughter. She was really struggling and RedCliff helped to stabilize her and give her some tools to manage and cope with her emotional issues. I can't express enough, how loving and caring all the staff and clinical team were. And her therapist was amazing! Our daughter refused to participate in any therapy before meeting with her therapist at RedCliff, but she took it slow and gained her trust.

Do not trust any review unless it was from someone who actually was here and went through this. I was sent here when I was 15/16. It is child abuse. I witnessed children my age get very sick, some with ecoli, and were denied care. We drank water with maggots in it. I Lost 20 pounds here and felt like I was starving every day. They force you into doing labor and all the staff is cruel, manipulative and not understanding. This is not the solution for anyone. Do not support this business or any businesses like this.

A few months ago we made one of the most difficult decisions of our lives, and it has turned out to be a life changer. Our son crashed and burned in front of our eyes, especially with the covid lock downs, and now we have him back healthy, disciplined and more aware than he would be without Wilderness Therapy. RedCliff Ascent rescued our son, and taught us numerous skills to be better parents. The staff at RCA are professional, responsive, and warm, and we couldn't be more grateful.
Tracie & Kevin