Facility profile Utah
RedCliff Ascent
RedCliff Ascent is a wilderness therapy in Enterprise, Utah, operated by Ascent Companies. It has operated since 1993.
About RedCliff Ascent
Commissioned a freelance article on teenagers and Internet pornography.source It featured in the winter edition of the UK publication "Wales in Action".source It was introducing four new financial initiatives that will benefit clients.source
It was licensed by the State of Utah.source It was a member of new member/partner of the Independent Small Programs Alliance (ISPA).source It added a certified therapy dog (Gracie) to the therapy program.source It was accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA).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
- Fornits: A Dr Suess (SUWS) Story (2004, 1 post)
- Fornits: Brat Camp (2004, 3 posts)
- Fornits: Hyde Schools (2005, 29 posts)
- Fornits: ABC Brat Camp (2005, 236 posts)
- Fornits: ABC Family Brat Camp Forum - RedCliff Ascent (2005, 8 posts)
- Fornits: This Camp is too easy! (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: RCA brat camp (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: Ethics? (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: been there done that... (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: Wow (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: Redcliffer (2005-2007, 185 posts)
- Fornits: Shame To Reality TV (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: This is REALY strange (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: PLEASE READ (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: People die there you know! (2005, 10 posts)
- Fornits: How do I sign up? (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: I'm a bit unhappy with what I see. (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: NOT SUPRISED!!!!!! (2005-2006, 8 posts)
- Fornits: THE SCAM BEHIND REDCLIFF (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: Former participants and staff debate conditions at RedCliff Ascent (2005-2016) (2005-2016, 40 posts)
- Fornits: Real Redcliffer (2005-2006, 7 posts)
- Fornits: Discovery Ranch (2006-2012, 22 posts)
- Fornits: Lon on Licensure and Regulation (2007, 10 posts)
- Fornits: Indepent Small Programs Alliance (2007, 5 posts)
- Fornits: Who is Dane Kay? (2008, 4 posts)
- Fornits: "Some" Licensed Schools and Programs (2008, 34 posts)
- Fornits: Programs, inluding CALO, that use Positive Control Systems. (2009, 7 posts)
- Fornits: Info on the "redcliff ascent family"? (2010-2012, 5 posts)
- Fornits: Error in an NPR article (2012, 3 posts)
- Fornits: Reporter investigating Utah programs for sexual deviancy (2013, 1 post)
- Fornits: MEDIA ALERT: Oxbow Academy, Gateway, Birdseye, Discovery Ranch, & Redcliff (2013-2014, 2 posts)
- Fornits: An uncle's testimony about his nieces stay at Redcliff Ascent & Hyde School (2021, 1 post)
Lawsuits
- dismissed
-
complaints
This document is a CM/ECF and PACER login and confirmation request page for the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. It provides instructions for electronic filing, viewing restricted case documents, and managing PACER credentials. Additionally, it displays a mandatory notice regarding the responsibility of filers to redact sensitive personal information in compliance with federal rules.
Federal funding
Federal money this program received, as government records, congressional reports and news coverage show it.
Paycheck Protection Program loan
- 2020: Paycheck Protection Program records show two loans, of $740,700 and $822,300, both forgiven. source
Incidents on record
-
Abuse
Survivors report medical neglect, social isolation, physical punishments, food and water restriction, forced labor, emotional abuse and sexual abuse by staff at Redcliff Ascent.source
Videos
Staff
Administration
-
Andrea Burgess
Executive Director (1996, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- RedCliff Ascent Wilderness Program Executive Director, 2018
- Discovery Ranch South Executive Director
Notable staff
-
Dan Sanderson
Clinical Director (2007)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Ascent Inc. Clinical Director, 1994
- STAR Guides Wilderness Program Clinical Director, 2013
- Star Guides Wilderness Therapy Clinical Director, 2025
- Abundant Life Academy Contracted Psychologist, before 2025
- White River Academy Clinical Director, 2025
- RedCliff Ascent Wilderness Program Clinical Director, 2012-2018
-
Deb Weir
Therapist for Medicine Wheel (2008)source
-
Kena Frey
Therapist (2009)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Star Guides Wilderness Therapy Co-Founder
- RedCliff Ascent Wilderness Program Therapist
-
Kreg Gillman
Clinical Director (2011-2012)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Silverado Academy Executive Director, Founder and Director, 2007-2008
- Aspen Ranch Head, before 2007
- Aspen Academy Head, before 2007
- SunHawk Academy Head, before 2007
- Provo Canyon School Head, before 2007
- Aspen Healthcare Services Chief Executive/Managing Director, 1998
- Aspen Education Group Staff
- Silverado Boys Ranch/Silverado Academy Founder
- RedCliff Ascent Wilderness Program Therapist, 2018
- Universal Health Services CEO
- WayPoint Academy executive director
-
Scott Shill
Field Director (2007)source
-
Scott Heaton
Former Therapist and field instructor (before 2008)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Silverado Academy Team member, Therapist, 2007-2020
- Aspen Achievement Academy Therapist and field instructor, before 2008
- Abundant Life Academy Clinical Director, 2019
-
Eric C. Fawson
Clinical Director (2012, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Silverado Academy Program Director, Program / Clinical Director and Therapist, Clinical Director, 2007-2025
- Provo Canyon School Direct Care Staff / Therapist, Therapy, Therapist, before 2007
- Wingate Wilderness Therapy Primary Wilderness Therapist, Therapist, 2011-2020
-
Fotu Soliai
Former Therapistsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Lake House Academy Asst. Ex. Dir/Clinical Director, Executive Director, 2021-2025
- Diamond Ranch Academy Executive Director, before 2021
- Ashcreek Ranch Academy Executive Director
- Eagle Ranch Academy Therapist
- RedCliff Ascent Wilderness Program Therapist
- a Therapist at Redcliff Ascent from 2001 until 2012
- a Residential Staff at an unnamed Treatment Center in Syracuse
- Sedona Sky Academy Executive Director, 2025
-
Kendra Meikeljohn
Former Staffsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Alternative Youth Adventures Staff, 2006
- Outback Therapeutic Expeditions Therapist, 2016
- Chrysalis Therapeutic Boarding School Clinical Director
- Three Rivers Montana Staff
-
Leslie Glies
Residential Directorsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Discovery Ranch Residential Director
-
Mark Noe
Staff Services Director (2004, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- RedCliff Ascent Wilderness Program Staff Svcs Director, 2018
- Star Guides Wilderness Therapy Psychotherapist
-
Matt Bulkley
Therapist (2001, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Sunrise RTC Therapist, Lead Therapist, 2002-2025
- RedCliff Ascent Wilderness Program Therapist, 2012-2018
- Star Guides Wilderness Therapy Executive Director and Co-Founder, Executive Director
-
Matt Hoag
Former Staffsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Evoke Entrada Therapist, Co-Owner, Clinical Director and Therapist
- Aspen Achievement Academy Field therapist, assistant clinical director and director of research
- Evoke Therapy Programs Co-Owner and Clinical Director
- Second Nature Wilderness Program Staff
- Evoke Cascades Former Co-Owner and Clinical Director
-
Justin Stum
Former Staffsource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Evoke Entrada Therapist
-
Alta Swarnes
Senior admissions counselor
Elsewhere in the industry
- West Ridge Academy Former Therapeutic Recreation Staff (2009)
- New Focus Academy program director
- Island View RTC recreation therapy dept supervisor
-
Candice Bahm
Field instructor
Elsewhere in the industry
- ANASAZI Foundation therapist
-
Mark Wardle
Field director
Elsewhere in the industry
- Distant Drums Beginnings Founder, Owner
- Eagle Quest Outdoor Youth Program Program Director, Owner
- Skyline Journey Former Program supervisor, Program Director
- SageWalk Wilderness wilderness operations
- The Wardle Home cofounder
- On Track Wilderness Program field director
Licensing and inspections
- License category
- Outdoor Youth Program
- Licensed capacity
- 82
- License expires
- 10/31/2027
- Licensing action
- Licensed
- Phone on file
- 4352314216
- Licensed address
- 709 E Main St, Enterprise, UT, 84725
16 inspection reports on file. Search all Utah reports
Every report, by date: 1 finding in 1 report
- Sep 24, 2026 Announced, Annual Inspection
- Apr 2, 2026 3rd Unannounced
- Feb 12, 2026 2nd Unannounced
- Oct 30, 2025 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
- Sep 18, 2025 Announced, Annual Inspection
- Apr 17, 2025 3rd Unannounced
- Jan 28, 2025 2nd Unannounced
- Nov 5, 2024 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
- Aug 8, 2024 Announced, Annual Inspection
-
Jun 28, 2024
Focus Inspection (1 finding)
1 finding
-
Out of compliance, focus inspection : R380-80-4(2) Report abuse or neglect
The provider was out of compliance with this rule by not immediately notifying the proper investigative authorities for alleged child abuse between clients. During the inspection the provider was aware of suspected child abuse on or around 4/23/2024 but a report to the applicable investigative agency was not done until on or around 5/17/2024.
-
- Apr 12, 2024 2nd Unannounced
- Jan 30, 2024 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
- Oct 2, 2023 Follow-Up Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection
- Sep 6, 2023 Announced, Annual Inspection
- Jun 22, 2023 Follow-Up Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection
- Jun 21, 2023 2nd Unannounced
Connections on the network map
The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.
Documents
Woodbury Reports Mentions (14)
-
Woodbury Reports, April 2011, P. 15: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, December 2006 (#148), P. 28: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, December 2007 (#160), Pp. 25-26: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, February 2006 (#138), P. 29: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, January 2008 (#161), Pp. 18, 20: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, January 2008 (#161), Pp. 29-30: RedCliff Ascent; Silverado Academy; Aspen Achievement Academy Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, July 2007 (#155), P. 11: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, June 2009 (#178), P. 17: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, June 2011, P. 15: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, June 2012, P. 13: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, March 2007 (#151), P. 4: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, March 2007 (#151), P. 29: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, March 2010, P. 3: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, October 2008 (#170), Pp. 20-21: RedCliff Ascent Woodbury Reports page
Research that mentions this program
From the Unsilenced archive
135 documents about RedCliff Ascent that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Redcliff Ascent.
Documents
- 1995_12_26___Wilderness_therapy_goes_Hollywood_Part_1.pdf
- 1995_12_26___Wilderness_therapy_goes_Hollywood_Part_2.pdf
- 1995_12_26___Wilderness_therapy_programs_go_hollywood.pdf
- 1995_12_28___Troubles_won_t_deter_film.pdf
- 1995_12_28___Wilderness_therapy_the_movie.pdf
- 1998_09_20___Business_Licenses.pdf
- 1998_12_05___Search_and_rescue_recovers_runaway_youths_again_Part_1.pdf
- 1998_12_05___Search_and_rescue_recovers_runaway_youths_again_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_04_20___Two_escape_wilderness_program_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_04_20___Two_escape_wilderness_program_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_04_21___14_year_old_escapee_from_wilderness_program_found_safe_at_Keel_Springs.pdf
- 1999_04_21___Teen_missing_from_Utah_wilderness_program.pdf
- 1999_12_07___Five_runaways_caught_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_07___Five_runaways_caught_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_07___Five_youths_caught_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_07___Five_youths_caught_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_07___Two_fugitives_are_still_on_the_loose_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_07___Two_fugitives_are_still_on_the_loose_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_07___Two_of_seven_escapees_still_running_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_07___Two_of_seven_escapees_still_running_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_07__Lund__Center_of_the_civilized_world_for_a_day.pdf
- 1999_12_08___Last_two_escapees_believed_to_be_in_Beaver_County_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_08___Last_two_escapees_believed_to_be_in_Beaver_County_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_08___Questions_surround_therapy_program_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_08___Questions_surround_therapy_program_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_08___Search_for_boys_regains_steam_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_08___Search_for_boys_regains_steam_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_09___Final_2_boys_found_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_09___Final_2_boys_found_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_09___Last_of_runaway_teens_in_custody_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_09___Last_of_runaway_teens_in_custody_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_09___Saga_ends__Last_two_boys_found_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_09___Saga_ends__Last_two_boys_found_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_10___Runaway_teenagers_charged.pdf
- 1999_12_11___Runaway_boys_headed_for_youth_court_Tuesday__face_5_felonies_.pdf
- 1999_12_11___Runaway_boys_headed_for_youth_court_Tuesday__face_5_felonies_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_12___Wilderness_Therapy_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_12___Wilderness_Therapy_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_13___Despite_criticism__youth_wilderness_programs_continue_to_be_popular_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_13___Despite_criticism__youth_wilderness_programs_continue_to_be_popular_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_13___Youth_wilderness_programs_on_the_rise.pdf
- 1999_12_14___Bill_for_runaways_search__50_000_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_14___Bill_for_runaways_search__50_000_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_16___Boys_enter_plea_bargains_in_assault_on_counselor.pdf
- 1999_12_16___Clarification.pdf
- 1999_12_18___Youth_wilderness_programs_continue.pdf
- 1999_12_26___Counselor_attacked_by_eight_boys_recounts_experience_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_26___Counselor_attacked_by_eight_boys_recounts_experience_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_26___Wilderness_survival_101_Part_1.pdf
- 1999_12_26___Wilderness_survival_101_Part_2.pdf
- 1999_12_27___Violent_episode_doesn_t_scare_off_camp_counselor.pdf
- 2000_01_10___Runaway_boys_to_be_sentenced_Part_1.pdf
- 2000_01_10___Runaway_boys_to_be_sentenced_Part_2.pdf
- 2000_01_10___Runaways_scheduled_to_be_scheduled_Tuesday_Part_1.pdf
- 2000_01_10___Runaways_scheduled_to_be_scheduled_Tuesday_Part_2.pdf
- 2000_01_12___Judge_sentences_youths_who_bolted_from_camp.pdf
- 2000_01_12___Runaways_to_pay_fines_restitution_Part_1.pdf
- 2000_01_12___Runaways_to_pay_fines_restitution_Part_2.pdf
- 2000_01_12___Youth_program_runaways_to_pay_fines_restitution.pdf
- 2000_01_24___Attack_on_counselors_by_youths_not_an_isolated_incident.pdf
- 2000_12_06___Search_for_RedCliff_Ascent_teen_ends_after_six_hours_Part_1 (1).pdf
- 2000_12_06___Search_for_RedCliff_Ascent_teen_ends_after_six_hours_Part_1.pdf
- 2000_12_06___Search_for_RedCliff_Ascent_teen_ends_after_six_hours_Part_2 (1).pdf
- 2000_12_06___Search_for_RedCliff_Ascent_teen_ends_after_six_hours_Part_2.pdf
- 2000_12_07___Investigation_launched_over_escape_from_RedCliff_Ascent.pdf
- 2000_12_07___Investigation_probes_why_RedCliff_Ascent_escapee_was_scantily_clad.pdf
- 2002_05_03___Teen_found_after_escaping_program.pdf
- 2002_05_03___Teen_missing_from_camping_trip_found.pdf
- 2002_07_21___Hard_Lessons_Part_1.pdf
- 2002_07_21___Hard_Lessons_Part_2.pdf
- 2003_06_19___Working_with_horses_helps_teens_change_course_Part_1.pdf
- 2003_06_19___Working_with_horses_helps_teens_change_course_Part_2.pdf
- 2004_03_17___Cedar_City_slates_hearing_on_group_homes_today_Part_1.pdf
- 2004_03_17___Cedar_City_slates_hearing_on_group_homes_today_Part_2.pdf
- 2006_12_27___Cedar_woman_makes_hats_for_troubled_teens_Part_1_.pdf
- 2006_12_27___Cedar_woman_makes_hats_for_troubled_teens_Part_2.pdf
- 2013_06_08___Youth_home_stays_open__Part_1.pdf
- 2013_06_08___Youth_home_stays_open__Part_2.pdf
- 2023-2026 Redcliff Binder1.pdf
- Additional Links for Redcliff Ascent Wilderness.xlsx
- Allstate Insurance vs Redcliff Ascent Wilderness - Complaint.pdf
- ascent.awol.100919_Redacted.pdf
- ascent.inspection.101519.pdf
- ascent.inspection.101817.pdf
- ascent.inspection.102016.pdf
- ascent.inspection.102620.pdf
- ascent.suicideattempt.050820.pdf
- defusing_the_teenage_timebomb.pdf
- enrollmentpack-2.pdf
- enrollmentpack.pdf
- Hardy vs Redcliff Ascent Wilderness - Personal Injury - Docket.pdf
- LW from Redcliff Ascent.pdf
- MN from Redcliff Ascent.pdf
- Murphy vs Redcliff Ascent Wilderness - Personal Injury - Docket.pdf
- RCA_Contract_and_Signature_Docs.pdf
- Redcliff Ascent.pdf
- Redcliff Binder_Redacted.pdf
- S of Redcliff.pdf
- SpectrumArticle1.pdf
- SpectrumArticle2.pdf
- SpectrumArticle3.pdf
- SpectrumJournal1.pdf
- SpectrumJournal2.pdf
- SpectrumJournal3.pdf
- Survivor A of Redcliff Ascent.pdf
- Survivor A of Redcliffe Ascent.pdf
- ttabvue-85735185-EXT-1.pdf
- ttabvue-85735185-EXT-2.pdf
- ttabvue-85735185-EXT-3.pdf
- ttabvue-85735185-EXT-4.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-1.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-10.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-11.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-12.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-13.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-14.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-15.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-16.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-17.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-18.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-19.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-2.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-20.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-21.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-22.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-24.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-25.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-4.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-5.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-6.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-7.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-8.pdf
- ttabvue-91210538-OPP-9.pdf
- Wilderness-Advisor.pdf
- WildernessAdvisor.pdf
We have questions about RedCliff Ascent
If you were there, worked there or sent your child there, you can help fill in what our records are missing. Each question takes a moment; skip anything you do not know.
Materials and links
External links
A program's own website is linked as an archived snapshot, so the page reads as it did when it was captured.