From Jennifer
Just got this message on our Facebook page from Jennifer, aka Crystal Springs. She gave us her permission to share with all of you: “Since my wilderness days, I graduated high school with honors. I...
View ArticleLooking Back at the RedCliff Reunion
“I had a lot of apprehension beforehand,” Andrea Burgess admits. “But it turned out even better than I thought.” Burgess is the Executive Director at RedCliff Ascent, a wilderness therapy program for...
View ArticleObservations on Place, Perception, and Troubled Teens
By Dr. Daniel Sanderson, Clinical Director, RedCliff Ascent One of the most common laments that is voiced by students participating in the program is that “I can’t prove to my parents that I have...
View ArticleTroubled Teen Therapy Outcomes: Why Numbers Matter
Mike Petree, Director of Research According to Mark Twain there are…”Lies, damned lies, and statistics“. I tend to assume that the general population may feel as vulnerable relying on statistical...
View Article“Getting Knifed” at RedCliff Ascent
"Getting knifed" at RedCliff Ascent This phrase, often written in letters from students to parents, can be alarming: “ Hey mom, I don’t know if my therapist told you, but I got knifed!” Initially...
View ArticleSafe Wilderness Therapy Demands Winter Prepration
Field staff at RedCliff Ascent have a difficult occupation and are expected to maintain high standards of operation all year. Occasionally, extreme weather conditions can make their jobs even tougher....
View ArticleThe Story of My Life: Troubled Teens Write Autobiographies
Autobiographies and Parent Narratives: A vital Part of the Treatment Process An important aspect of the therapeutic process for students at RedCliff Ascent is the compilation of an autobiography....
View ArticleLost and Found: Observations of a Wilderness Therapist
While it may not make intuitive sense, winter is my favorite time of year in the wilderness of Southern Utah. I have spent about 18 winters in the field with the concomitant adventure that each of...
View ArticleCongratulations and Thanks!
Congratulations to Trevor, Melinda, Gabriella and John! They shared their RedCliff stories and won Kindle e-readers. You should be receiving them today. John – we’re still trying to figure out how to...
View ArticleBest Wilderness Experience
Mark wrote this response to our request for grads to share their RedCliff wilderness experiences. We thought you might relate: hi, my name is mark and i was in redcliff 8 years ago now, i still dream...
View ArticleTroubled Teen Sees Kindness In a Candy Bar
Our Shindig celebration happens about once every three months. It’s a chance for students to gather at Outpost with their peers and celebrate their wilderness experience. Here’s a letter we received...
View ArticleThe Beauty of Wilderness Therapy
Juniper branch covered with gall The RedCliff Ascent field is covered with Juniper trees. In a small number of these trees you can find a dark barky growth called a gall. The gall is the tree’s...
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