Facility profile Montana
Wilderness Treatment Center
Wilderness Treatment Center was a transitional living program in Marion, Montana. It operated from 1984 to 2021.
About Wilderness Treatment Center
One account dates its opening to 1983; other records give 1984.source
It celebrated its 25th anniversary.source It partnered with Blue Print Education to provide high school credit for its 60-day chemical dependency program.source Its address was 200 Hubbart Dam Rd, Marion, MT 59925.source
Re-accredited with The Association for Experiential Education.source It joined ISPA in early 2008.source
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.
1984
Opened in Marion, Montana
2018
Lawsuit
In September 2018 four parents filed a class-action lawsuit alleging the center provided insufficient security and monitoring to prevent two sons from running away despite warnings.
Lawsuit September 2018
source
Wilderness Treatment Center Provides Insufficient Security, Class Action Says
Wilderness Treatment Center Provides Insufficient Security, Class Action Says
Four parents filed a class action lawsuit against the Wilderness Treatment Center and Wilderness Alternative School in Montana, alleging that the facility failed to provide adequate security and supervision to prevent their sons from running away. The plaintiffs claim that facility staff falsely assured them the program was equipped to handle flight risks despite warnings.
Outcome: The case was dismissed without prejudice for lack of jurisdiction.
- Court
- U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, Missoula Division
- Case number
- 9:18-cv-00156
- Status
- Dismissed
'Insufficient Staffing' at Wilderness Treatment Center to Blame for Escape of Runaway-Risk Minors, Class Action Claims
'Insufficient Staffing' at Wilderness Treatment Center to Blame for Escape of Runaway-Risk Minors, Class Action Claims
Two sets of parents from North Carolina and Louisiana filed a class action alleging that Wilderness Treatment Center misrepresented the safety and effectiveness of its services for at‑risk minors. The complaint asserts that the facility failed to provide adequate supervision, allowing the plaintiffs' sons to escape and obtain unsecured keys.
- Case number
- 9:18CV156
- Status
- Unknown
class-action lawsuit
class-action lawsuit
The plaintiffs, a group of parents and their minor children, filed a class action complaint against Wilderness Alternative School Inc., alleging deceptive advertising, false representations, and inadequate staffing that led to their children escaping the facility. The complaint asserts claims of fraud, consumer deception, negligence, and breach of contract under federal class action jurisdiction.
Outcome: The court denied the plaintiffs' motion for class certification, granted the defendant's motion to deny class certification, and dismissed the case without prejudice for lack of jurisdiction.
- Court
- United States District Court for the District of Montana, Missoula Division
- Case number
- 9:18-cv-00156-DWM
- Status
- Dismissed
2021
Closed
Lawsuits
-
Wilderness Treatment Center Provides Insufficient Security, Class Action Says
Outcome: The case was dismissed without prejudice for lack of jurisdiction.
Four parents filed a class action lawsuit against the Wilderness Treatment Center and Wilderness Alternative School in Montana, alleging that the facility failed to provide adequate security and supervision to prevent their sons from running away. The plaintiffs claim that facility staff falsely assured them the program was equipped to handle flight risks despite warnings. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that the center discontinued the boys' medications, contributing to dangerous behavior, and left vehicle keys unsecured, allowing the youths to temporarily leave the facility.
-
'Insufficient Staffing' at Wilderness Treatment Center to Blame for Escape of Runaway-Risk Minors, Class Action Claims
Two sets of parents from North Carolina and Louisiana filed a class action alleging that Wilderness Treatment Center misrepresented the safety and effectiveness of its services for at‑risk minors. The complaint asserts that the facility failed to provide adequate supervision, allowing the plaintiffs' sons to escape and obtain unsecured keys. The plaintiffs claim the defendants engaged in fraudulent misrepresentation and negligence in staffing and security practices.
-
class-action lawsuit
Outcome: The court denied the plaintiffs' motion for class certification, granted the defendant's motion to deny class certification, and dismissed the case without prejudice for lack of jurisdiction.
The plaintiffs, a group of parents and their minor children, filed a class action complaint against Wilderness Alternative School Inc., alleging deceptive advertising, false representations, and inadequate staffing that led to their children escaping the facility. The complaint asserts claims of fraud, consumer deception, negligence, and breach of contract under federal class action jurisdiction. This filing initiates federal litigation seeking injunctive relief and damages on behalf of a nationwide class of consumers who purchased the defendant's services.
Incidents on record
-
September 2018 Lawsuit
In September 2018 four parents filed a class-action lawsuit alleging the center provided insufficient security and monitoring to prevent two sons from running away despite warnings.source
News coverage
-
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.
-
Seen 'n Heard, 6/1994
This industry newsletter issue from June 1994 reports on professional staff appointments, organizational changes, and upcoming conferences across several emotional growth schools, wilderness programs, and educational consulting practices.
Staff
Administration
-
John Brekke
Former Founder (2007-2013)source
Notable staff
-
Ben Dorrington
Former Admissions Director, Director of Referral Relations (2007)source
-
Carsten McCarter
Former Continuing Care Coordinator (2008)source
-
Chris Nadasi
Former Consulting Psychologist (2007)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Summit Preparatory School Clinical Director, before 2007
- Montana Academy Staff, before 2007
-
James Murphy
Former Consulting Psychologist (2007)source
-
Nancy Brekke
Former Co-Founder & Chief Administratorsource
-
Mary Tollefson
Former Admissions Directorsource
-
Chase Sewell
Former Manager of Business Development (2013, r/troubledteens wiki)source
-
Patrick Hawkins
Former Clinical Director (2019, r/troubledteens wiki)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Three Strands Wilderness Program Director, 2019
- Triple Divide Lodge Co-Founder and Executive Director, 2021
Documents
Woodbury Reports Mentions (7)
-
Woodbury Reports, December 2008 (#172), P. 22: Wilderness Treatment Center Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, February 2007 (#150), P. 29: Wilderness Treatment Center Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, July 2007 (#155), P. 29: Wilderness Treatment Center Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, June 2008 (#166), Pp. 27, 29: Wilderness Treatment Center Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, October 2008 (#170), P. 26: Wilderness Treatment Center Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, September 2007 (#157), P. 31: Wilderness Treatment Center Woodbury Reports page -
Woodbury Reports, September 2008 (#169), Pp. 22, 25: Wilderness Treatment Center Woodbury Reports page
-
Wilderness Treatment Center 2009 NATSAP Profile NATSAP profile -
Wilderness Treatment Center 2011-2012 NATSAP Profile NATSAP profile -
Wilderness Treatment Center 2012-2013 NATSAP Profile NATSAP profile -
Wilderness Treatment Center 2015-2016 NATSAP Profile NATSAP profile -
Wilderness Treatment Center 2016-2017 NATSAP Profile NATSAP profile
From the Unsilenced archive
144 documents about Wilderness Treatment Center that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Wilderness Treatment Center.
Documents
- 1983_08_05___Ranch_becomes_treatment_center_for_alcohol_abuse.pdf
- 1983_08_11___Working_ranch_is_treatment_center.pdf
- 1983_09_25___Alcoholism_care_close_by.pdf
- 1984_01_03___Flathead_ranch_houses_drug_treatment_center.pdf
- 1984_01_08___Adventure_based_therapy_builds_on_self_esteem.pdf
- 1984_01_08___Treatment_center_okayed.pdf
- 1984_03_25___The_healing_outdoors___Part_1.pdf
- 1985_04_17___Alcohol_tax_hikes_endorsed.pdf
- 1985_04_17___Committee_OKs_alcohol_tax_hike.pdf
- 1985_04_17___Tax_committee_endorses_increase_in_wine_taxes.pdf
- 1986_06_01___Notice_of_Receipt.pdf
- 1987_04_09___Ranch_offers_a_natural_high___Part_1.pdf
- 1987_04_09___Ranch_offers_a_natural_high___Part_2.pdf
- 1987_06_01___Legal_Notices.pdf
- 1987_06_01___Notice_of_receipt_for_Letters_of_intent_for_applications_for_certificate_of_need_2.pdf
- 1987_06_01___Notice_of_Receipt_of_Letters_of_Intent_for_Application_for_Certificates_of_Need.pdf
- 1988_04_03___Forest_considers_increased_outfitter_use.pdf
- 1988_04_07___Swan_outfitter_numbers_could_double_.pdf
- 1988_04_11___Drug_program_ups_outfitter_demand.pdf
- 1988_07_31___Attends_seminar.pdf
- 1989_02_15___On_Campus.pdf
- 1989_08_01___Notice_of_receipt_of_letters_of_intent_for_applications_for_certificates_of_need.pdf
- 1989_11_23___Guides_get_OK_for_night_trips_in_Glacier.pdf
- 1990_08_05___Soviet_alcoholic__US_treatment_advanced_.pdf
- 1990_08_05___Soviet_alcoholic_tours_Montana_treatment_facility.pdf
- 1990_08_06___Soviet_alcoholic_treated_in_Marion_center.pdf
- 1990_12_20___Snow_can_be_your_downfall_of__if_used_right__it_can_help_save_your_life.pdf
- 1991_04_05___Treatment_center_to_be_on_TV.pdf
- 1991_04_13___Montana_center_focus_of_TV_show_.pdf
- 1993_06_09___Teen_will_et_treatment_after_admitting_rampage.pdf
- 1993_08_25___Wild_therapy_OK_after_all___Part_1.pdf
- 1993_08_25___Wild_therapy_OK_after_all___Part_2.pdf
- 1995_06_10____Legals.pdf
- 1997_08_14___Work_in_the_woods_heals_the_soul.pdf
- 1998_07_30___Lost_trails___Part_1.pdf
- 1998_07_30___Lost_trails___Part_2.pdf
- 1998_07_30___Off_the_beaten_path___Part_1.pdf
- 1998_07_30___Off_the_beaten_path___Part_2.pdf
- 1998_08_06___Clearing_a_path_in_the_wilderness.pdf
- 1998_08_06___Trails_in_the_wilderness_get_help_from_volunteers.pdf
- 1998_12_03___Volunteer_crews_worked_2_900_days_in__The_Bob__.pdf
- 1998_12_12___Sobering_Message.pdf
- 2001_07_18___You_learn_how_to_live.pdf
- 2002_07_02___Choteau_boys_ranch_to_open_this_summer___Part_1.pdf
- 2002_07_02___Choteau_boys_ranch_to_open_this_summer___Part_2.pdf
- 2009_03_23___Can_heal_now.pdf
- 2009_03_26___The_right_call.pdf
- 2009_03_30___Badget_travel_plan_lauded.pdf
- 2011_11_11___Hunter_shoots_charging_griz___Part_1.pdf
- 2011_11_11___Hunter_shoots_charging_griz___Part_2.pdf
- 2011_12_15___Juvenile_Detention___Part_1.pdf
- 2011_12_15___Juvenile_Detention___Part_2.pdf
- 2011_12_15___Juvenile_Detention___Part_3.pdf
- 2012_08_19___Kalispell_man_completes_75_mile__15_hour_run.pdf
- 2012_08_20___Day_s_run_takes_man_across_Bob_Marshall_Wilderness.pdf
- 2013_02_05___Tech_student_pens_autobiography_about_abuse__drugs.pdf
- 2013_09_16___Rehab_facility_marks_30_years___Part_1.pdf
- 2013_09_16___Rehab_facility_marks_30_years___Part_2.pdf
- 2013_09_22___Wilderness_Treatment_Center_Part_1.pdf
- 2013_09_22___Wilderness_Treatment_Center_Part_2.pdf
- 2013_10_08___Natural_Recovery___Part_1.pdf
- 2013_10_08___Natural_Recovery___Part_2.pdf
- 2019_01_20___The_fox_guarding_the_henhouse___Part_1.pdf
- 2019_01_20___The_fox_guarding_the_henhouse___Part_2.pdf
- 2020_11_19___Carroll_to_add_Master_of_Social_Work_degree.pdf
- 2020_11_23___Carroll_College_adding_Master_of_Social_Work_degree_.pdf
- Additional Links for Wilderness Treatment Center.xlsx
- Adventure_based_therapy_builds_on_self_esteem___1984_01_08.pdf
- Alcohol_tax_hikes_endorsed___1985_04_17.pdf
- Alcoholism_care_close_by___1983_09_25.pdf
- Attends_seminar___1988_07_31.pdf
- Badget_travel_plan_lauded___2009_03_30.pdf
- Benjamin_James_Dorrington___2009_06_28.pdf
- Brian_Edward_Brekke___2008_12_13.pdf
- Can_heal_now___2009_03_23.pdf
- Carroll_College_adding_Master_of_Social_Work_degree___2020_11_23.pdf
- Carroll_to_add_Master_of_Social_Work_degree___2020_11_19.pdf
- Choteau_boys_ranch_to_open_this_summer___Part_1___2002_07_02.pdf
- Choteau_boys_ranch_to_open_this_summer___Part_2___2002_07_02.pdf
- Clearing_a_path_in_the_wilderness___1998_08_06.pdf
- Committee_OKs_alcohol_tax_hike___1985_04_17.pdf
- Day_s_run_takes_man_across_Bob_Marshall_Wilderness___2012_08_20.pdf
- Drug_program_ups_outfitter_demand___1988_04_11.pdf
- Flathead_ranch_houses_drug_treatment_center___1984_01_03.pdf
- Forest_considers_increased_outfitter_use___1988_04_03.pdf
- Hunter_shoots_charging_griz___Part_1___2011_11_11.pdf
- Hunter_shoots_charging_griz___Part_2___2011_11_11.pdf
- Installation_planned___1988_09_10.pdf
- James_Haldeman_Armstrong_Sr____2017_01_15.pdf
- John_Edward_Brekke___2013_11_06.pdf
- Juvenile_Detention___Part_1___2011_12_15.pdf
- Juvenile_Detention___Part_2___2011_12_15.pdf
- Juvenile_Detention___Part_3___2011_12_15.pdf
- Juvenile_Detention___Part_4___2011_12_15.pdf
- Juvenile_Detention___Part_5___2011_12_15.pdf
- Kalispell_man_completes_75_mile__15_hour_run___2012_08_19.pdf
- Kris_Berg___2010_04_07.pdf
- Legals___1995_06_10.pdf
- Lost_trails___Part_1___1998_07_30.pdf
- Lost_trails___Part_2___1998_07_30.pdf
- Montana_center_focus_of_TV_show___1991_04_13.pdf
- Natural_Recovery___Part_1___2013_10_08.pdf
- Natural_Recovery___Part_2___2013_10_08.pdf
- Notice_of_receipt_for_Letters_of_intent_for_applications_for_certificate_of_need_2___1987_06_01.pdf
- Notice_of_receipt_of_letters_of_intent_for_applications_for_certificates_of_need___1989_08_01.pdf
- Off_the_beaten_path___Part_1___1998_07_30.pdf
- Off_the_beaten_path___Part_2___1998_07_30.pdf
- On_Campus___1989_02_15.pdf
- Ranch_becomes_treatment_center_for_alcohol_abuse___1983_08_05.pdf
- Ranch_offers_a_natural_high___Part_1___1987_04_09.pdf
- Ranch_offers_a_natural_high___Part_2___1987_04_09.pdf
- Rehab_facility_marks_30_years___Part_1___2013_09_16.pdf
- Rehab_facility_marks_30_years___Part_2___2013_09_16.pdf
- Richard_Berg___2008_09_10.pdf
- Robert_J__Pollock___1988_11_10.pdf
- Scottsdale Ins. Co. v. Wilderness ,Alt. Sch.pdf
- Shane_Palmquist___2000_06_01.pdf
- Snow_can_be_your_downfall_of__if_used_right__it_can_help_save_your_life___1990_12_20.pdf
- Sobering_Message___1998_12_12.pdf
- Soviet_alcoholic__US_treatment_advanced___1990_08_05.pdf
- Soviet_alcoholic_tours_Montana_treatment_facility___1990_08_05.pdf
- Swan_outfitter_numbers_could_double___1988_04_07.pdf
- Tech_student_pens_autobiography_about_abuse__drugs___2013_02_05.pdf
- The_healing_outdoors___1984_03_25.pdf
- The_right_call___2009_03_26.pdf
- Trails_in_the_wilderness_get_help_from_volunteers___1998_08_06.pdf
- Treatment_center_okayed___1984_01_08.pdf
- Treatment_center_to_be_on_TV___1991_04_05.pdf
- Volunteer_crews_worked_2_900_days_in__The_Bob____1998_12_03.pdf
- Walker v. Wilderness Alt. Sch., Inc.pdf
- Wild_therapy_OK_after_all___Part_1___1993_08_25.pdf
- Wild_therapy_OK_after_all___Part_2___1993_08_25.pdf
- Work_in_the_woods_heals_the_soul___1997_08_14.pdf
- Working_ranch_is_treatment_center___1983_08_11.pdf
- WTC-Admissions-Packet-2015.pdf
- WTC-Admissions-Packet-2016.pdf
- wtc-admissions-packet-2017-new-2.pdf
- WTC-Admissions-Packet-2017-NEW.pdf
- WTC-Brochure-2015-EmailVersion.pdf
- WTC-Brochure-2017-FINAL.pdf
- wtc-daily-schedule-example-2.pdf
- WTC-Daily-Schedule-Example.pdf
- wtc-family-week-packet-2015-2.pdf
- WTC-Family-Week-Packet-2015.pdf
Wiki entries
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Materials and links
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Reference and research
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