Facility profile Idaho

SUWS Idaho

Closed Shoshone, Idaho

SUWS Idaho was a wilderness therapy in Shoshone, Idaho, operated by Aspen Education Group. It operated from 1981 to 2013.

About SUWS Idaho

It closed in 2013.source It was run by Aspen Education Group.source

Stays lasted about 45 days average, 28 days minimum.source Began a program for teens aged 11-13 in 1997.source Began marketing a program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2006.source Reportedly only about 40% of teens went home afterwards; 60% sent to longer-term programs.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.

1981198520012006201319812013

  1. 1981

    1. Opened

      Opened in Shoshone, Idaho

  2. 1985

    1. IncidentJuly 3, 1985

      Death

      A 13-year-old died on July 3, 1985 after being forced to hike in temperatures over 100F without water and falling off a 75-foot cliff near King Hill Creek.

      Death July 3, 1985

      source

  3. 2001

    1. In the newsNovember 1, 2001

      Provo Canyon School Closure

      1 article in Woodbury Reports.

      Provo Canyon School Closure November 1, 2001

      This industry newsletter from November 2001 compiles announcements regarding staff appointments, facility upgrades, and educational resources across various private residential and therapeutic programs for youth.

  4. 2006

    1. DeathJuly 28, 2006

      Rocco D. Magliozzi, 12, died here

      West Nile virus (also exposed to Rocky Mountain spotted fever), caught on the program; died in hospital

      Rocco D. Magliozzi, 12, died here July 28, 2006

      source

    2. Incident

      Runaway

      A survivor reports escaping from SUWS Idaho in 2006 at age 17 and claims to be the only child to have successfully escaped.

      Runaway

      source

    3. IncidentJuly 28, 2006

      Death

      A 12-year-old died on July 28, 2006 after contracting West Nile Virus while backpacking; the virus was known to be present in the area but the program...

      Death July 28, 2006

      A 12-year-old died on July 28, 2006 after contracting West Nile Virus while backpacking; the virus was known to be present in the area but the program continued taking children there.

      source

  5. 2013

    1. Closed

      Closed

Deaths on record

  • Rocco D. Magliozzi age 12 | July 28, 2006 | West Nile virus (also exposed to Rocky Mountain spotted fever), caught on the program; died in hospital Obituary

The memorial

Incidents on record

  1. July 3, 1985 Death

    A 13-year-old died on July 3, 1985 after being forced to hike in temperatures over 100F without water and falling off a 75-foot cliff near King Hill Creek.source

  2. 2006 Runaway

    A survivor reports escaping from SUWS Idaho in 2006 at age 17 and claims to be the only child to have successfully escaped.source

  3. July 28, 2006 Death

    A 12-year-old died on July 28, 2006 after contracting West Nile Virus while backpacking; the virus was known to be present in the area but the program continued taking children there.source

  4. Abuse

    Survivors report severe medical neglect, food and water deprivation, extreme forced exercise, emotional abuse, isolation and physical abuse at SUWS Idaho.source

  5. Abuse

    Teens were punished with social isolation, loss of shoes or clothing, physical exercises and communication and movement restrictions.source

News coverage

  • Woodbury Reports Nov 1, 2001 General

    Seen 'n Heard, 11/2001 - Short news clips about Special Schools & Programs

    This industry newsletter from November 2001 compiles announcements regarding staff appointments, facility upgrades, and educational resources across various private residential and therapeutic programs for youth. Noticeable updates include personnel changes at CEDU schools, facility enhancements at Sunhawk Academy, and the release of a documentary featuring the wilderness program SUWS.

  • Woodbury Reports Oct 1, 2001 General

    Seen and Heard - October 2001

    This industry newsletter compilation details various administrative updates, staff appointments, program expansions, and leadership changes across multiple therapeutic boarding schools, wilderness programs, and youth residential facilities for October 2001. Notices include new program accreditations, facility curriculum updates, and personnel transitions within the troubled teen industry.

  • Seen 'n Heard Oct 1, 2001 General

    Seen 'n Heard - October  2001 Issue (page 1).

    The October 2001 issue of Seen 'n Heard reports a series of updates from various private schools and wilderness programs, including new leadership appointments, program openings, and accreditation approvals. No incidents of abuse or misconduct are reported. The piece serves as a directory of industry developments.

  • Woodbury Reports Feb 1, 1995 General

    Letters to the Editor

    Letters published in Woodbury Reports in February 1995 feature feedback from parents expressing satisfaction with various youth transport services, emotional growth programs, and wilderness treatment facilities. The correspondence outlines parental experiences utilizing companies such as West Shield for adolescent transport to programs including SUWS, Mount Bachelor, Cascade, and the Wilderness Treatment Center.

Staff

Administration

  • Cliff Stockton

    Former Program Director (2012-2013, r/troubledteens wiki)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Alternative Youth Adventures Wilderness Director, 1996
    • Suws Program Director, 2021
    • Aspen Youth Alternatives wilderness director
    • Education Consultant

  • Kathy Rex

    Former Executive Director (1994-2013, r/troubledteens wiki)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • SUWS Adolescent and Youth Programs Executive Director, 2006
    • SUWS Adolescent and Youth Program Executive Director, 2007-2008
    • Suws Executive Director, Director, 2009-2021
    • SUWS Wilderness Program Executive Director, 2013
    • BlueFire Wilderness Therapy Co-Founder and Executive Director, Executive Director/Co-Founder, 2013-2025

  • Audrey Everson

    Program director

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Graham Shannonhouse

    Program director

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Executive Director- SUWS of the Carolinas
    • Trails Carolina Former Executive Director, Founder

Notable staff

Connections on the network map

The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.

Ownership

Documents

Documents on file (3)
Woodbury Reports Mentions (3)

Wiki entries

Materials and links

Survivor posts and discussion

Staff listing or directory

Reference and research

Other links

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction