Facility profile Idaho
Ascent Wilderness Program
Also known as Caribou Ridge Intervention, Ascent Wilderness Therapy
Ascent Wilderness Program was a wilderness therapy in Naples, Idaho, operated by Universal Health Services (UHS). It operated from 1994 to 2010.
About Ascent Wilderness Program
It was a division of UHS.source Chris Ankney appointed interim executive director of Ascent in January 2008, after the 2005 sale to Universal Health Services.source It was run by CEDU.source It closed.source It was run by Universal Health Services.source
It cost $340 per day; over $15,000 for six weeks.source
Also drawn on: source.
Survivor testimony
What people who lived or worked here say happened. Survivors' own words are published with their permission; forum accounts are what was posted publicly and are reported as claims, not findings.
Reported on survivor forums
Timeline
From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.
1994
Opened in Naples, Idaho
1996
Lawsuit
In 1996 a former resident sued Ascent Wilderness and Northwest Academy claiming abuse in 1994-1995, including taunting by untrained counsellors, withheld...
Lawsuit
In 1996 a former resident sued Ascent Wilderness and Northwest Academy claiming abuse in 1994-1995, including taunting by untrained counsellors, withheld medication, sleeping among dead rats and being forced to sit outside in January.
2010
Closed
2020
Provo Canyon School Closure
1 article in HuffPost Canada.
Provo Canyon School Closure November 22, 2020
The article reports allegations of physical restraint, solitary confinement, and sexual misconduct at several U.S. troubled‑teen boarding schools that housed Canadian teenagers. Survivors describe harsh punishments, forced medication, and isolation, and the facilities have faced legal and regulatory scrutiny.
Incidents on record
-
1996 Lawsuit
In 1996 a former resident sued Ascent Wilderness and Northwest Academy claiming abuse in 1994-1995, including taunting by untrained counsellors, withheld medication, sleeping among dead rats and being forced to sit outside in January.source
News coverage
-
Allegations of Abuse at U.S. Troubled‑Teen Boarding Schools Involving Canadian Teens
The article reports allegations of physical restraint, solitary confinement, and sexual misconduct at several U.S. troubled‑teen boarding schools that housed Canadian teenagers. Survivors describe harsh punishments, forced medication, and isolation, and the facilities have faced legal and regulatory scrutiny. The piece highlights gaps in oversight and the impact on the survivors’ mental health.
-
Boulder Creek Academy, Northwest Academy and Ascent Program Profile at PracticeLink
An organizational profile and recruitment listing details Boulder Creek Academy, Northwest Academy, and the Ascent Program as residential and wilderness programs operating in Idaho under parent company Universal Health Services, Inc. The text describes the regional setting and multidisciplinary staffing structures intended for adolescents aged 13 to 18.
Staff
Administration
-
Troy Knight
Former Healthcare Administration Program Director (2008)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Wilderness Quest Executive Director, 2007
- Clearview Horizon Executive Director, 2009
-
Chris Ankney
Former Executive Director (2008)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Ascent Inc. Interim Executive Director, Executive Director, 2008
-
Trilby Hoover
Former Executive Directorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Ascent Inc. Staff, 2006
- Passages to Recovery Executive Director, Admissions Director, before 2007
- Sheep Gate Services Founder, 2007
- Shadow Mountain Academy Admissions Director, Admissions, 2008-2009
- Northwest Academy
-
Larry Blakey
Former Executive Directorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- SquareOne Staff, 2001
- On Track Wilderness Program Staff
- VisionQuest Staff
- Rocky Mountain Academy founded SquareOne with Rob Spear
-
Brian Rossiter
Former Program Director (1997, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- SageWalk Wilderness Program Director, 2004
- Evoke Cascades Executive Director, 2005
- SeaChange Hawaii Director of Admissions/Marketing, Admissions Director, 2010-2011
- Santiam Crossing Executive Director, 2012
- Phoenix Outdoor Program Director
- CEDU schools Staff
- Ascent Inc. Program Manager, before 2021
- King George School program director
- Second Nature exec director
-
Ramon Palacios
Former Program Directorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Ascent Inc. Staff, 2006
- Heart Cry Recovery Executive Director, Founder, 2009
- Passages to Recovery Staff, before 2009
- Four Circles Recovery Center Founding team member, before 2009
- Wilderness Quest Staff, before 2009
- Northwest Academy Staff, 2010
- Boulder Creek Academy Chemical Dependency Counselor
-
Brian MacInnes
Former Program Director (1994, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- North Idaho CEDU Schools Director of Adventure Education, 2002
- Cedu Director of Family Education, 2003
- Santiam Crossing Program Director, 2005
-
Scott Hess
Elsewhere in the industry
- Fulshear Treatment to Transition – The Ranch Staff, 2004
- Ascent Wilderness Clinical Director, later Executive Director, before 2004
- Wingate Wilderness Therapy Clinical Director, Partner, Primary Therapist, Therapist, 2008-2025
- Trails Carolina Therapist, 2015
- Outback Therapeutic Expeditions Staff
- Aspen Ranch Clinical Director, 2000
- Fulshear Ranch Staff, 2004
- Fulshear Treatment to Transition helped found
-
Jane May
Director of business services
Elsewhere in the industry
- CEDU Family of Services Director of Business Services, before 2009
- Cherokee Creek Boys School Director of Operations and Human Resources (2009)
- Rocky Mountain Academy director of business services
- Boulder Creek Academy director of business services
- Northwest Academy director of business services
Notable staff
-
Dan Kemp
Former Admissions Director, Director of Admissions (2008)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Phoenix Outdoor Admissions Director, 2006
- SUWS Adolescent and Youth Programs Director of Admissions, 2009
- Northwest Academy Former Director of Admissions (2005)
- Island View RTC Director of Program Development
- The Oakley School Headmaster and director of admissions
- Aspen Education Group Division director
-
Jim Powell
Former Clinical Director (2008)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- KidsQuest Wagon Train Clinical Director, 2006
- Powell & Elliott Collaborative, LLC Co-Founder, 2008
- Friends of Families with Children in Crisis Foundation Co-Founder, 2008
- Friends of Families Foundation Co-Founder, 2008
- CEDU High School Clinical Director, 1988
- Friends of Families Founder, 2008
- Benchmark Young Adult School Clinical Director, 2009
- CEDU Mountain Schools Clinical Director, before 2009
- Benchmark Transitions Clinical Director, Executive Clinical Director, 2009-2019
- Ascent Wilderness Staff, 2010
-
Guy Hardcastle
Former Director of Business Development (2008)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Ascent Inc. Director of Business Development, before 2009
- West Ridge Academy Director of Business Development, Director of Admissions, 2009-2010
- Wilderness Quest Director of Operations, before 2009
-
Jonathan Gurney
Former Clinical Servicessource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Carlbrook School Director of Advising and Clinical Director, Dean of Advising, Transition Services, 2001-2019
-
Matthew Fitzgerald
Former Admissions Director (1994, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Rocky Mountain Academy Senior Counselor/Admissions Counselor, 1989
- Northwest Academy Director, 1997
- Northwoods Co-Owner and President, 1999
- Ascent Wilderness Intervention Staff
- Ascent Wilderness Staff
-
Reid Treadaway
Former Director of Admissions (2003, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Rocky Mountain Academy Front-line staff, then Admissions Director, Admissions Director, 1996
- SUWS of the Carolinas Admissions Director, 2000-2003
- Ascent Wilderness Therapy Director of Admissions, 2003
- InnerChange Admissions Specialist, 2010
- Boulder Creek Academy Director of Admissions and Business Development, Director of Admissions, Admissions and Business Development, 2012-2013
- BlueFire Wilderness Therapy Admissions Director, 2013
- CEDU Family of Services regional director of admissions
- New Haven RTC admissions specialist
- Sunrise RTC admissions specialist
- Fulshear Treatment to Transition admissions specialist
-
Roger D. Topp
Former Admissions Counsellor, Field Instructor, then Admissions Counsellorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- The Ridge New Hampshire Admissions Director
-
Nikole Brown
Former Clinical Director (1998, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Ascent Inc. Clinical Director, 1998-2021
- Northwest Academy Clinical Director, 2007
-
Rachel M. Webster
Former Therapist (2007-2021, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Ascent Wilderness Intervention Therapist, 2007-2021
- Boulder Creek Academy Clinician, Therapist, 2008-2025
-
Kaysie Dannemiller
Former Therapist (2006, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Catherine Freer Wilderness Program Wilderness Guide, 1995
- Rites of Passage Guide, 2010
- Ascent Inc. Therapist, 2021
- Mount Bachelor Academy Phase III Staff
- Phoenix Outdoor Staff
- Rite of Passage, Inc guide
-
Dan Tadlock
Former Therapistsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Northwest Academy Senior Clinician, Director of Family Services, Clinical Supervisor, 2007-2025
- Hawk’s Landing Therapeutic Home for Boys CEO, 2016
- Ascent Wilderness Intervention Therapist, 2021
- Ascent Wilderness Therapist
-
Jeff Johnson
Elsewhere in the industry
- Mount Bachelor Academy Admissions Director, 2000
- Aspen Education Group Director of Special Projects/Wilderness Division, Director of Marketing and Admissions, 2000
- Auldern Academy Interim Admissions Director, Admissions Director, 2007
- Onpoint Consultants, LLC Founder, Owner, 2007-2008
- Association of Mediation and Transport Services (AMATS) Executive Director, 2007-2008
- AMATS (Association of Mediation and Transport Services) Executive Director, 2007
- SunHawk Academy Director of Admissions, Admissions Director, 2008-2021
- Association of Mediation and Transportation Services Executive Director, before 2008
- Trails Carolina Admissions Director, Director of Admissions, 2012
- SUWS Idaho Admissions Director, before 2012
- Allynwood Academy Enrollment Development & Referral Relations, Admissions Director, 2014
- Reflections for Youth Executive Director, 2020
- Skyline Journey Admissions Director
- Wilderness Quest Admissions Director
- Ascent Wilderness Admissions Director
- Adirondack Leadership Expeditions Admissions Director
- Three Rivers Montana Admissions Director
- Lone Star Expeditions Admissions Director
- SUWS of the Carolinas Admissions Director
- Boulder Creek Academy Admissions Director
-
Saul Rudman
Regional dir biz dev
Elsewhere in the industry
- CEDU schools Admissions and Marketing Director, before 2007
- Brainworks Client Relations, 2008
- Boulder Creek Academy Former Regional Director of Business Development (2007)
- Northwest Academy regional dir biz dev
-
Tracy Schrunk
Clinical director
Elsewhere in the industry
- Vista RTC Therapist
- Logan River Academy Therapist
- Ascent Wilderness Clinical Director
- Fulshear Ranch Academy Executive Director
- Wingate Wilderness Therapy Therapist
- Fulshear Ranch Executive Director
- Fulshear Treatment to Transition – The Ranch Executive Director, 2009
- Outback Therapeutic Expeditions Therapist, 2011-2017
- Vista Magna RTC therapist
- Vista Treatment Centers therapist
- Fulshear Treatment to Transition exec director
Connections on the network map
The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.
Acquisitions
- Universal Health Services
Ownership
- CEDU Family of Services
Documents
Woodbury Reports Mentions (6)
-
Woodbury Reports, December 2007 (#160), Pp. 29-30: Northwest Academy; Boulder Creek Academy; Ascent Wilderness Therapy Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, February 2006 (#138), P. 30: Northwest Academy; Boulder Creek Academy; King George School; Ascent Wilderness Therapy; Universal Health Services (UHS) Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, February 2008 (#162), P. 30: Ascent Wilderness Program Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, February 2009 (#174), P. 22: Northwest Academy; Ascent Wilderness Program; Boulder Creek Academy Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, November 2007 (#159), P. 11: Ascent Wilderness Program Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, October 2008 (#170), Pp. 28, 31: Ascent Wilderness Program Woodbury Reports page
From the Unsilenced archive
156 documents about Ascent Wilderness Program that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their folders: Ascent Wilderness, Caribou Ridge Intervention.
Documents
- 10-Signs-Your-Teen-Is-In-Trouble.pdf
- About_40_behavioral_school_staffers_rehired___2005_10_19.pdf
- ACADEMIC-UNDERACHIEVEMENT-2.pdf
- ADD_ADHD-2.pdf
- Additional Links for Ascent Wilderness.xlsx
- Additional Links for Caribou Ridge Intervention.xlsx
- ADJUSTMENT-PROBLEMS-2.pdf
- Admissions3.pdf
- Admissions7.pdf
- admisspacket.adult.pdf
- ADOPTION-ATTACHMENT.pdf
- American-Healthcare-Brochure-lite.pdf
- ANGER-DEFIANCE.pdf
- Ascent Compass Newsletter - Summer 1997.pdf
- Ascent.pdf
- Ascent_Ad___1999_04_29.pdf
- Ascent_first_step_for_help___1998_04_12.pdf
- Bankruptcy_a_hard_hit_for_town___Part_1___2005_03_30.pdf
- Bankruptcy_a_hard_hit_for_town___Part_2___2005_03_30.pdf
- Barnett_win__disappears___Part_1___2010_03_22.pdf
- Barnett_win__disappears___Part_2___2010_03_22.pdf
- Ben_Wood_s_Hawaii___1981_11_08.pdf
- Care_home_ordered_to_shut_down___2020_02_29.pdf
- CEDU Ascent Participant Admission Contract Page 1.jpg
- CEDU Ascent Participant Admission Contract Page 2.jpg
- CEDU Ascent Participant Admission Contract Page 3.pdf
- CEDU Transportation Contract for a Minor to Ascent in Naples Idaho - Grant of Guardianship 1996 - Page 1.pdf
- CEDU Transportation Contract for a Minor to Ascent in Naples Idaho - Grant of Guardianship 1996 - Page 2.pdf
- CEDU Transportation Contract for a Minor to Ascent in Naples Idaho - Grant of Guardianship 1996 - Page 3.pdf
- CEDU Transportation Contract for a Minor to Ascent in Naples Idaho - Grant of Guardianship 1996 - Page 4.pdf
- CEDU Transportation Contract for a Minor to Ascent in Naples Idaho - Grant of Guardianship 1996 - Page 5.pdf
- CEDU Transportation Contract for a Minor to Ascent in Naples Idaho - Grant of Guardianship 1996 - Page 6.pdf
- CEDU_schools_get_new_life___2005_10_19.pdf
- CEDU_shutting_down___Part_1___2005_03_26.pdf
- CEDU_shutting_down___Part_2___2005_03_26.pdf
- D of Maple Lake Academy and Pacific Quest Wilderness.pdf
- DEPRESSION-ANXIETY-3.pdf
- ENTITLEMENT.pdf
- Ex_students__case_merits_jury_trial__lawyer_says___2000_10_05.pdf
- FAMILY-CONFLICT-FAMILY-DISCORD.pdf
- Field Instructor.pdf
- Future_brightens_for_closed_schools___2005_08_16.pdf
- Future_brightens_for_closed_schools___Part_1___2005_08_16.pdf
- Future_brightens_for_closed_schools___Part_2___2005_08_16.pdf
- G of Pacific Quest Wilderness.pdf
- Gillette_runs_to_repeat___Part_1___2009_06_29.pdf
- Gillette_runs_to_repeat___Part_2___2009_06_29.pdf
- GRIEF-LOSS.pdf
- Group_home_gets_approval___Part_1___2011_10_07 (1).pdf
- Group_home_gets_approval___Part_1___2011_10_07.pdf
- Group_home_gets_approval___Part_2___2011_10_07 (1).pdf
- Group_home_gets_approval___Part_2___2011_10_07.pdf
- Health_Department_cites_2_teen_treatment_facilities_on_Big_Isle___2020_01_14.pdf
- Hilo_athlete_s_work_with_youth_forges_IRONMAN_mentality___2015_09_12.pdf
- Hilo_company_pays_back_wages_after_federal_probe___2012_07_13.pdf
- Idaho_academy_straightens_kids_out___1995_04_24.pdf
- IDENTITY-ISSUES.pdf
- INTERNET-ADDICTION.pdf
- ISOLATION.pdf
- JT from Ascent.pdf
- Ka_u_care_home_ordered_to_shut_down___2020_02_29.pdf
- LACK-OF-CONFIDENCE.pdf
- LACK-OF-MOTIVATION.pdf
- LEARNING-DIFFERENCES.pdf
- Light_at_the_end_of_the_tunnel___Part_1___2018_07_19.pdf
- Light_at_the_end_of_the_tunnel___Part_2___2018_07_19.pdf
- Marathon_battle_ahead___Part_1___2015_11_20.pdf
- Marathon_battle_ahead___Part_2___2015_11_20.pdf
- Marathon_winner_pulls_disappearing_act___Part_1___2010_03_22.pdf
- Marathon_winner_pulls_disappearing_act___Part_2___2010_03_22.pdf
- Marketing show for wilderness camp for troubled teens.mp4
- Mental_health_facility_planned___Part_1___2011_08_23.pdf
- Mental_health_facility_planned___Part_2___2011_08_23.pdf
- Mental_health_home_delayed___2011_09_02.pdf
- Milestone_of_service___Part_1___2002_09_10.pdf
- Milestone_of_service___Part_2___2002_09_10.pdf
- MOOD-REGULATION-ISSUES-1.pdf
- New_boss_slated_for_Cedar_CAP___2000_06_28.pdf
- News_of_record___1998_04_09.pdf
- NG from New Leaf Academy, Pacific Quest, Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy.pdf
- No_stopping_Gillette_from_Kona_Marathon_Repeat___Part_1___2009_06_29.pdf
- No_stopping_Gillette_from_Kona_Marathon_Repeat___Part_2___2009_06_29.pdf
- Notice_of_Public_Meeting_and_Hearings_Planning_Commission_County_of_Hawaii___2004_10_01.pdf
- Notice_of_Public_Meeting_and_Hearings_Windward_Planning_Commission_County_of_Hawaii___2011_07_15.pdf
- Notice_of_public_meeting_and_hearings_windward_planning_commission_county_of_Hawaii___2011_08_12.pdf
- Notice_of_public_meeting_and_hearings_windward_planning_commission_county_of_Hawaii___2011_09_09.pdf
- Oahu_runner_does_mom_proud_at_Volcano___Part_1___2016_08_21.pdf
- Oahu_runner_does_mom_proud_at_Volcano___Part_2___2016_08_21.pdf
- Pacific_Quest_Foundation_donates__10K_to_Boys___Girls_Club___2021_03_11.pdf
- Pacific_Quest_Foundation_gives__10K_to_Boys___Girls_Club___2021_03_09.pdf
- Pacific_Quest_link___2008_06_18.pdf
- Papaikou_s_Ghost_is_content_in_2nd___2011_03_21.pdf
- Personal_injury_suit_against_schools_to_start___Part_1___2002_11_02.pdf
- Personal_injury_suit_against_schools_to_start___Part_2___2002_11_02.pdf
- Police_Youths_hijack_vehicle___Part_1___2010_07_15.pdf
- Police_Youths_hijack_vehicle___Part_2___2010_07_15.pdf
- POOR-SELF-IMAGE.pdf
- POOR-SOCIAL-SKILLS.pdf
- pq-course-descriptions.pdf
- RELATIONSHIP-ISSUES.pdf
- SBA honors Big Island businesses - Part 1 - 2011-04-07.pdf
- SBA_honors_Big_Island_businesses___Part_2___2011_04_07.pdf
- SCHOOL-ISSUES.pdf
- School_s_shutdown_troubles_community___Part_1___2005_03_29.pdf
- School_s_shutdown_troubles_community___Part_2___2005_03_29.pdf
- Schools_seek_second_chance___2005_04_02.pdf
- Schools_seek_second_chance___Part_1___2005_04_02.pdf
- Schools_seek_second_chance___Part_2___2005_04_02.pdf
- Settlement_reached_in_school_suits___2002_11_05.pdf
- State_orders_illegal_care_homes_to_cease_and_desist___2020_01_15.pdf
- State_orders_illegal_care_homes_to_cease_and_desist___2020_01_20.pdf
- SUBSTANCE-EXPERIMENTATION_ABUSE.pdf
- Suit_says_schools_for_troubled_teens_set_stage_for_abuse___Part_1___1998_04_01.pdf
- Suit_says_schools_for_troubled_teens_set_stage_for_abuse___Part_2___1998_04_01.pdf
- Survivor A of Ascent - Northwest Academy - Hyde.pdf
- Survivor A of Northwest Academy.pdf
- Survivor A of Pacific Quest Wilderness.pdf
- Survivor PH of CEDU.pdf
- Taming_the_West___Part_1___2013_04_28.pdf
- Taming_the_West___Part_2___2013_04_28.pdf
- Taming_the_West___Part_3___2013_04_28.pdf
- Taming_the_West___Part_4___2013_04_28.pdf
- Taming_the_West___Part_5___2013_04_28.pdf
- Taming_the_West___Part_6___2013_04_28.pdf
- Teen_arrested_after_alleged_Ka_u_carjacking___Part_1___2010_07_15.pdf
- Teen_arrested_after_alleged_Ka_u_carjacking___Part_2___2010_07_15.pdf
- Teenager_sues_therapy_programs_claims_abuse___1996_07_13.pdf
- Tough_path_for_teens___Part_1___2000_02_17.pdf
- Tough_path_for_teens___Part_2___2000_02_17.pdf
- Transport Contract Page 1.jpeg
- Transport Contract Page 2.jpeg
- Transport Contract Page 3.jpg
- Transport Contract Page 4.jpg
- Transport Contract Page 5.jpg
- Transport Contract Page 6.jpeg
- TRAUMA.pdf
- Trouble_at_academy_worries_neighbors___Part_1___1997_01_09.pdf
- Trouble_at_academy_worries_neighbors___Part_2___1997_01_09.pdf
- Troubled_children__a_troubling_industry___Part_1___2003_07_13.pdf
- Troubled_children__a_troubling_industry___Part_2___2003_07_13.pdf
- Troubled_children__a_troubling_industry___Part_3___2003_07_13.pdf
- Troubled_homes___Part_1___1999_09_05.pdf
- Troubled_homes___Part_2___1999_09_05.pdf
- Troubled_North_Idaho_school_closing___Part_1___2005_02_12.pdf
- Troubled_North_Idaho_school_closing___Part_2___2005_02_12.pdf
- VIDEO-GAME-ADDICTION.pdf
- Volunteers_remove_invasive_plants_from_Mauna_Kea___2014_12_23.pdf
- Wilderness_camp_suit_alleges_mistreatment___Part_1___1996_07_12.pdf
- Wilderness_camp_suit_alleges_mistreatment___Part_2___1996_07_12.pdf
- Wilderness_helps_tame_teenagers___Part_1___1996_06_03 (1).pdf
- Wilderness_helps_tame_teenagers___Part_1___1996_06_03.pdf
- Wilderness_helps_tame_teenagers___Part_2___1996_06_03 (1).pdf
- Wilderness_helps_tame_teenagers___Part_2___1996_06_03.pdf
- Wilderness_school_helps_tame_teens___1996_10_17.pdf
- Yuko_Nakai_gets_her_three_peat__Espinoza_wins_in_marathon_debut___Past_1___2016_06_27.pdf
- Yuko_Nakai_gets_her_three_peat__Espinoza_wins_in_marathon_debut___Past_2___2016_06_27.pdf
Wiki entries
We have questions about Ascent Wilderness Program
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Materials and links
Materials the project holds for this facility. Ask through the correction form to see any of them.
Other documentation
- NATSAP profile
- Archived website