My brother was at the Ranch over a decade ago. , There are plenty of articles that prove why Discovery Ranch is dangerous for the mental development of children. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, all the professional departments work together. Please reach out to me for questions, I will do my best to educate you on what is happening and get you current information. Sanoy (Google Reviews). I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. Craig Smith worked as the Clinical Director of Discovery Ranch. Their motto is apparently Strength in the Struggle. This will provide him with the experience of a lifetime because Utah has a natural landscape that is second to none. Discovery Ranch is accredited by the, Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), , but it is important to note that neither the United States Department of Education nor the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes NAAS as an accrediting agency for institutions of higher education. Parents wont know or understand the gravity of impact this experience has had until after you get out and have openly talked about it, and although its very hard not to blame or take your anger out on them, you have to realize they made their decision out of love and ignorance. This is not just a couple of resentful people. Their motto is apparently Strength in the Struggle. If youre a troubled teen thats reading this that just recently got out, or its been years and its still effecting you, please believe me when I say that YOU ARE NOT ALONE. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. Allegations of abuse that have been reported by survivors include malnutrition/food deprivation, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and solitary confinement used as punishment. They love tossing kids emotional and mental state around for worse, or they will lie about problems that a kid doesnt have just to keep kids there longer.They will try to keep kids from telling you from what is really going on, the use their security measures as a punishment Instead of safety and they can, have, and will threaten kids. They left me more broken than they found me. , Please do not send your child to this horrific and abusive program. I didnt ask to see that.. The. If you are at all struggling and/or would like to talk to someone who can relate, please do not hesitate to contact me through this post and Id be happy to exchange information so we can talk. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. I was forced to do the most humiliating and degrading things possibly conceivable; I was forced to eat a girls used tampon, lick cow shit off a girls boots, unclog a toilet with my bare hands adult male staff would masturbate to me showering, changing, and using the toilet while masturbating (keep in mind I was 15. Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. We will not share your information. We found a traditional therapist that proved to be far more effective. Have been in contact with many former students that have not done well once leaving the ranch. They would restrain kids to the point the kids arm was almost broken. Anyone is free to fact check this, and contact me with further questions [redacted]. If they mention these sorts of things to parents (over heavily monitored phone calls and letters in the mail), contact between student and parent would be cut off. While at Discovery Ranch, your son will participate in a variety of outdoor activities. The trauma Ive witnessed, and seen other kids witness was unbearable. I had an IEP at my old school because I cant learn that easily but the program directors convinced my parents I was too lazy to do work that I had trouble doing. Abuse at its finest.. we were totally and utterly underfed, one morning we were fed one mini bagel and one cream cheese. She currently works as the Residential Director at Redcliff Ascent, another Ascent Company program. Teenagers can be punished for infractions as small as making an inappropriate facial expression, meaning they can be punished for crying or raising their eyebrows without permission. This is not just a couple of resentful people. They often cause way more harm than good. The facility in Utah is run like a prison. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for teenage boys aged 13-18 with emotional and behavioral issues. DR does not accept transgender males. The protocols here suck, and do absolutely nothing in the way of help. They would arbitrarily lock me in a tiny pitch black closet devoid of food, water, a bathroom, or human contact for days, usually because I made an inappropriate facial expression like crying or raising my eyebrows when they screamed at me that I was worthless and no one could ever love me. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. Privilege to them is being able to sit on a couch, to be able to speak out loud, to be able to eat a single apple. I wish I could give negitive stars! The trauma Ive witnessed, and seen other kids witness was unbearable. Until now I had remembered my experience there as a happy one- I literally only remembered what went on during the day. Have been in contact with many former students that have not done well once leaving the ranch. Also the staff there (although there were some that I liked) were extremely rude. The schooling they provide is a joke. In this, experiential, safe, and supportive environment. Reading these reviews it is obviously a place that needs to make some changes if the accusations are correct. This is not just a couple of resentful people. Grand Ledge Courts. It got heated on the ranch and Duane kept referring to this person as a "freeloader." The ranch hasn't been short of intruders, in many forms including surveillance cameras and spy drones. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. They picked favorites and we were treated like garbage. Discovery ranch uses a merit system to punish kids. Its heart wrenching to see how many families were deeply financially destroyed as well as personal connections being permanently damaged. ! , A family member of mine attended this school so everything I have heard is 2nd hand. Your child will be put in with kids that are older than their age group, that were in gangs, that are addicted to drugs, etc. Discovery Ranch combines the power of traditional and experiential therapies to create a clinically sophisticated, relationship-based residential treatment center for boys ages 13-18. Also MAY I NOTE THAT THEY ARE SO DESPERATE THAT THEY NEED THEIR OWN STAFF MEMEBERS TO WRITE REVIEWS. They are very abusive and they will lie to you. One small slip up, and you have all privileges taken away from a day to sometimes even a week. I suggest seeking different options for your child. June 27, 2022; how to get infinite lingots in duolingo; chegg payment options; discovery ranch lawsuit . The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. Staff members are chosen at random, as the turnover rate is insanely high. In other words, do not trust them. The reason I am writing this now is because I ended up becoming an alcoholic and drug addict once I went to college and had finally had complete freedom. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. If you have a child with attention deficit disorder do not send your son here BECAUSE it is like water boarding to have a kid sit in a room for 7 hours straight and have them study all day even though they are trying. Your PRECIOUS child is NOT safe here! There was never any you can do it it was you better do it or youre going to be put on mc and never get out of here. I understand that people need to help themselves and I cannot blame Discovery Ranch for my decisions but this environment definitely did not promote positive change in my life. Listen to your child, and dont fall into the traps that programs make which lead parents to think their child is untrustworthy, a liar, manipulator, etc. I had never done drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette at this point in my life. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for teenage boys aged 13-18 with emotional and behavioral issues. DR does not accept transgender males. The school uses research to help create an individualized treatment plan for each teen. Countless amounts of times seeing staff restrain kids in inhumane ways. He previously worked at Provo Canyon School, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the WWASP organization. I suggest seeking different options for your child. NAAS is an organization that has accredited many notoriously abusive behavior-modification programs, including many WWASP programs. The facility in Utah is run like a prison. As part of the therapeutic learning process, all boys participate in weekly ropes activities that build character and help develop lifelong skills. Countless amounts of times seeing staff restrain kids in inhumane ways. Each part of his daily experience will reinforce his therapeutic goals. When the program opened, it housed both boys and girls on the same campus, but kept them completely seperate in different parts of the campus. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. Before you would consider sending your son away, you need to know that he is going to a place you can trust. However, in 2013 DR moved their girls program to Cedar City, UT and began makerting theis program as Discovery Ranch For Girls. Individual, family, and group therapy all take place within a residential treatment setting. Duane and his son, Chad Ollinger, are trying to finish a goal set by Duane's own father. Aside from the obvious prejudice and discrimination, many of these conditions are not legitimate clinical impairments, and those that are require individualized care, which this facility does not provide.. I have constant dreams where bugs are crawling all over my skin and I wake up screaming from anxiety. Staff refusing to let kid use the bathroom, and making him pee/poop himself. They only allow astonishing ones to pass. One small slip up, and you have all privileges taken away from a day to sometimes even a week. If you have any logic in your brain in the slightest then you should realize how goddamn stupid it would be to send your kid to this shit hole. , Its been about 8-9 years since I left DR; Im now 25 and although I dont dwell on what happened so much anymore, this place has had such a negative impact on my life. It is reported that they are only allowed to communicate with their parents through heavily censored and monitored letters, as well as a once-monthly phone call, which is also monitored by staff. You will also be able to observe your sons progress through our secure, password-protected parent portal. To them, there is one way that every kid learns, and if you have learning disabilities thats too fucking bad and ask the doctor to raise your meds the next time he comes. I dont believe that the people who tortured me were innately evil; i think it was a situation similar to Abu Ghraib. Are they just being a teenager? It is run like a prison. After discovery ranch I couldnt even talk to my parents for months because of the trauma it caused me. A court has maintained a number of claims the Granby Ranch Metropolitan District has made in a lawsuit against the owners of Granby Ranch. The lawsuit filed by the staff parents said the couple joined Eagle Ranch as staff parents in April 2020 and ended their employment in January 2022. This type of environment makes reporting abuse and neglect impossible for teenagers. Discovery Ranch is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (NAAS), but it is important to note that neither the United States Department of Education nor the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes NAAS as an accrediting agency for institutions of higher education. Throughout your sons experience at Discovery Ranch he will have the support of caring, educated, experienced professionals. The kids come out shell shocked, traumatized and fearful. , As a father I was treated poorly. I had no contact with the outside world except letters to my parents which were censored, and observed phone calls once a month. This will provide him with the. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. My mind sometimes uncontrollably cradles and turns to static when I hear the same radio noise as the staff used at DR. Every part of Discovery Ranch, from the amazing campus to the nationally accredited Academic Program, helps to promote growth and healing. The boat bought with funds by Discovery Ranch was not once used for the kids, the owners just use it for personal use. This is not just a couple of resentful people. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. They strip you of everything, even contact with your own parents, and dangle it in front of you as motivation to do/act how they want. If Im in the car with someone and they make a wrong turn or something I will flip out and start having a panic attack because all I can think about it oh my god where are they taking me theyre locking me up again. The discovery process was contentious, especially with respect to the Aaron Ranch Lawsuit, and went on for years in state court. Also they lie to the kids about the effects of marijuana, such as the claim that you can withdrawal from it, but I know that isnt true. Youre parents will love that, Ha!). If anything, kids got worse from being here. Privilege to them is being able to sit on a couch, to be able to speak out loud, to be able to eat a single apple. After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. Your job as parents is to help your child, you guys are the problem not your kids. After discovery ranch I couldnt even talk to my parents for months because of the trauma it caused me. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. The tuition is reported to be anywhere between $6,500 to $12,000 per month. I had repressed memories of the physical, sexual, and psychological torture i endured for five years until I watched a documentary on the stanford prison experiment in my psychology class. In comparison, most of the other residents had serious drug problems, were in gangs, were extremely violent, etc. Its not just the kids too, sometimes there are good staff, but whenever there is that person never lasts long at all, they all literally quit because this place is so horrible. If you have a child with attention deficit disorder do not send your son here BECAUSE it is like water boarding to have a kid sit in a room for 7 hours straight and have them study all day even though they are trying. He said that he was abused by a staff member while there. 25 votes, 28 comments. STOP DISCOVER RANCH they will play you out of so much money its unbelievable. And before you tell me that was a long time ago, I am a part of multiple survivor groups online for former students from DR and other abusive programs in Utah. DISCOVERY RANCH FOR GIRLS Ripoff Reports, Complaints, Reviews, Scams, Lawsuits and Frauds Reported Your Search: Discovery Ranch for girls. They love tossing kids emotional and mental state around for worse, or they will lie about problems that a kid doesnt have just to keep kids there longer.They will try to keep kids from telling you from what is really going on, the use their security measures as a punishment Instead of safety and they can, have, and will threaten kids. dont do this to your child We are all begging you. Although there are no support groups for people like us and since the program is so small & were from all over the country, it feels and looks very real that you may be alone, YOU ARE NOT. My brother was at the Ranch over a decade ago. John (Yelp), 10/28/2019: (SURVIVOR) There are plenty of articles that prove why Discovery Ranch is dangerous for the mental development of children. Your child will be put in with kids that are older than their age group, that were in gangs, that are addicted to drugs, etc. Discovery ranchs idea of privileges is being able to sit on something other than hard wood chairs. . They gave all the kids the same level of trust, none. When she was given her home visit, her mom took her to the doctor and was diagnosed, although we have tried to find the outcome of the lawsuit, none of us have been able to track her family down to share our sympathy). 19K views, 49 likes, 17 loves, 159 comments, 10 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from FOX 13 News: UTAH RANCH LAWSUIT - A teen is filing a lawsuit against a Utah ranch where she says she was sexually. 2023 Discovery Ranch Residential Treatment Center for Teen Boys |. He began his career working in Admissions at Provo Canyon School, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the WWASP organization. The program is affiliated with several other Ascent Company programs, such as RedCliff Ascent, Discovery Academy, Discovery Connections, and Oxbow Academy. My parents sent me there because I was depressed, doing poorly in school instead of getting straight As, got caught shoplifting a pack of gum from 7-11, spent too much time on the computer, and was too angry and defiant. TENA CAMPBELL U.S. District Court Judge. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. The level-system consists of five levels, which the boys progress through by earning points for good behavior while avoiding demerits for negative behaviors and rule infractions. They emotionally and mentally compromise kids for fun. I still hear screams from my friends being restrained in the back of my mind. Your job as parents is to help your child, you guys are the problem not your kids. Discovery Ranch South offers the perfect healing environment for troubled teens with mental health or behavioral issues. I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. We found a traditional therapist that proved to be far more effective. Your son will experience the value of hard work through daily chores and responsibilities. The teenagers at Discovery Ranch as forced to adhere to a strict set of rules at all time. Also if you notice, a large majority of the 5 star ratings are from former staff as opposed to parents/students. William (Google Reviews), 6/1/2020: (SURVIVOR) Through my stay I personally witnessed: Two suicide attempts. His step-father (my Dad) told me not to discuss it around him. I suggest seeking different options for your child. He since has shut down and will not discuss it so no idea if it was accurate or something he said when first home to avoid being sent back. This is my real name, as Im no longer afraid to write my review under an alias. I dont believe that the people who tortured me were innately evil; i think it was a situation similar to Abu Ghraib. If you are LGBTQ and need support, call the Trevor Project Hotline 1-866-488-7386, If you are having suicidal thoughts, call toll free 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741741, If you are a child being abused or know of a child being abused call toll free 1-800-422-4453. He began his career working in Admissions at, , which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the. Discovery Ranch is an Ascent Company behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. This website uses cookies and third party services. We also understand that every teen and every family is unique. $1,000 in 1990 worth today . Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. Please reach out to me for questions, I will do my best to educate you on what is happening and get you current information. Sanoy (Yelp), August 2020: (SURVIVOR) Kinda like a prison that just focuses on external behavior. I am not the only victim. Im happy to say that she is leading a normal life and leaving DR was the best thing that happened. , I try to think positively about it but honestly this shithole gave me PTSD. The civil lawsuit seeks a minimum of $350,000. It is degrading and disrespectful and I will forever hate this program as they manipulate people into spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to not help there kids. I have maintained very close friendships with a handful of other patients that were there during my time (for a wide range of different reasons) and we even make it appoint to see each other each year. Youre not. As I walked away in shock he was tackled by staff.This was after I had already seen two separate suicide attempts. She currently works as the Residential Director at, is reported by survivors to have run the facility. You and your son will work to rebuild your relationship with weekly family therapy, family visits, and Parent Day Seminars. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. I am at a loss for what to do at this point. The reviews on their website are COMPLETELY weeded before theyre posted. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? No one deserves what they really do to people. In Season 1, Episode 2 ("Under Siege"), the Raneys went to Virginia to help couple Kim and Josh Zabec the owners of Revolutionary Roots Farm after pigs had ruined part of their homestead.
