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I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. able to inform their parents of abuse, their parents are manipulated by DR into believing that their child is lying and being manipulative in an attempt to be pulled from the program. In addition to taking part in the equine therapy and horsemanship programs, he will have access to the fully-equipped music studio. Also there were lawsuits against this place. In fact, the administration at discovery ranch intentionally delayed my high school graduation by refuting me the right to do my classes in order to keep me there longer. We have created this bond because unless you went through a detention center such as DR, you will not understand. Get Confidential Help Today, Call Us Anytime, Internationally-recognized Residential Treatment Center for Teen Boys Ages 13-18 Located in Utah, Top Residential Treatment Center For Teens, Discovery Ranch combines the power of traditional and experiential therapies to create a clinically sophisticated, relationship-based. She currently works as the Residential Director at, is reported by survivors to have run the facility. They would yell at us and use excessive force. We do all this so that you can know your son is safe with us. 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. She currently works as the Residential Director at Redcliff Ascent, another Ascent Company program. If you are like most parents of Discovery Ranch students, you have been looking for help for a long time. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, we hold ourselves to the, We maintain professional memberships in research organizations, such as, . I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. Have been in contact with many former students that have not done well once leaving the ranch. I had to raise a baby cow for the slaughter to learn to deal with loss, exercise until I threw up blood, pick up cow shit every day, I could go on and on. 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. Even though I have left the program, if I dont follow their horribly rigorous and reclusive aftercare rules I go back. In addition, your son will experience many opportunities to explore Utah. They report that in January 2104, the boy was placed in a dorm at Discovery Ranch with three other boys, one who began grooming him and another resident for sexual victimization until he was violently sodomized. The attacker used threats of violence, coercion, guilt, and the merit system of Discovery Ranch to manipulate (the boy) to avoid reporting increasingly deviant sexual behaviors, including discussions about sex, pornography, masturbation, and sexual violence. According to the complaint, Discovery Ranchs merit system also prevented (him) from reporting the assaults because he believed that his inferior status and past interactions with Discovery Ranch staff and administrators would result in him being punished if he attempted to disclose the assaults. The family claims the sexual assaults went undiscovered and unchecked throughout the months of January and February and were only revealed when he [the assailant] was transferred from Discovery Ranch after being discovered engaging in bestiality with a horse. The family says that Discovery Ranch failed to adequately investigate the assailant for psychosexually deviant and violent tendencies before admitting him to Discovery Ranch and placing him in the dorm. Additional Information: Family Alleges Bestiality at Alternative School, 9/20/2020: (SURVIVOR) Discovery ranch seems to actively try to remove as many negative reviews as they can, many were mine being removed over and over. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. I dont know why but when i was there I never wanted to leave. I thought I was actually crazy, but it was all real. 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. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. In addition, your son will experience many opportunities to explore Utah. I wish I could give negitive stars! The reason for posting this is that this is cathartic for me and nice to have a group of people who have at least a basic 25 votes, 28 comments. My son, although he enjoyed his stay, refused to be brainwashed, and therefore got nothing therapeutical out of his stay; only resentment and anger, and he gained knowledge how to manipulate therapists to his benefit. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. Your community does not have the resources to help. 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. I was 15 years old. Every part of Discovery Ranch, from the amazing campus to the nationally accredited Academic Program, helps to promote growth and healing. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? STOP DISCOVER RANCH they will play you out of so much money its unbelievable. Discovery Ranch is an Ascent Company behavior-modification program founded on August 21st, 2005. Anyone is free to fact check this, and contact me with further questions [redacted]. Im scared to mention my real name because Discovery Ranchs aftercare program still controls my life. My parents (his Mom and step-father) note sending him away added to his sense of rejection started by peer abuse even though they were desperate due to his issues at home and school. Clinton Dorny is the Executive Director of Discovery Ranch. Like other behavior-modification programs, Discovery Ranch utilizes a level system based around a merit/demerit structure. When I came back to real life I had forgotten how to smile and had to train myself to make facial expressions that corresponded to the emotions I should have felt in various circumstances. 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. I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. He previously worked at, worked as the Residential Director of Discovery Ranch. 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. I had no contact with the outside world except letters to my parents which were censored, and observed phone calls once a month. A kid was put in isolation for about 4 weeks before being moved to a different treatment center. I still have insomnia and night terrors of being at that place. May their souls rest in peace. The amounts of times I screamed out loud in physical/mental exhaustion from being undermined and unheard is uncountable. if I saw him today i would punch him in the face. Now, other past guests on the show are coming forward with similar stories, including . We had a close friend that took her life during our time there, we lost a friend to drug addiction that spiraled after leaving DR, and we had another friend who lost her life to cancer, which could have been detected in the earlier stages if DR didnt fail to seek proper medical attention (she was actually punished quite often for complaining about the pain and was either made to do hard manual labor or the staff would put her in isolation for days on end. Their motto is apparently Strength in the Struggle. Are they just being a teenager? please if you are thinking of sending anyone or know anyone who is considering to send someone here, keep the kid far away from them. They are there only to try and give the staff (who by the way have no training in psychology at all) an easier time. With the help of a REAL rehab and AA, I had achieved 14 months sober. Please. 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. The program has a maxmimum enrollment of 60 boys, and the average length of stay is reported to be around 10 months, but this can be substantially longer if the boy is deemed resistant. It is NOT your fault and youre NOT a lesser being despite what DR drilled into you. 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. He previously worked at the confirmedly abusive, organization. The website is misleading. And it wasn't just because he was suddenly a millionaire . The program has a maxmimum enrollment of 60 boys, and the average length of stay is reported to be around 10 months, but this can be substantially longer if the boy is deemed resistant. They picked favorites and we were treated like garbage. As I walked away in shock he was tackled by staff.This was after I had already seen two separate suicide attempts. Discovery Ranch a Utah corporation doing business as Discovery Ranch, Discovery Connections Attorney/Law Firm Details Plaintiff Attorneys Kathryn J. Steffey Attorney at SMITH HARTVIGSEN PLLC 257 E 200 S Ste 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Clayton H. Preece Attorney at SMITH HARTVIGSEN PLLC 257 E 200 S Ste 500 Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Court Documents At one point during my stay, I saw my friend stab his arm repeatedly with a pencil, spraying blood all over me and the windowsill we were sitting on. 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). Your job as parents is to help your child, you guys are the problem not your kids. 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 dont want to discuss whats actually wrong. I am at a loss for what to do at this point. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. ), I witnessed a 15 year old boy be sodomized by a broom handle and have the living shit beat out of him because he tried to run away and watched a girl punch a window and slit her wrists in front of me because she couldnt take it anymore. The protocols here suck, and do absolutely nothing in the way of help. Case No. 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., In February of 2015, a former resident at DR and his family filed a lawsuit against the school reporting that the boy was violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted by another resident at the program. However, in 2013 DR moved their girls program to Cedar City, UT and began makerting theis program as, member since 2005. There is not enough research of the negative effects places like DR have on a young person, people dont like to talk or hear about places like DR, the system is extremely flawed, its a corporation that works very hard to keep you there as long as possible for obvious financial reasons while hiring unqualified staff. They are very abusive and they will lie to you. 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. If you are in an urgent situation and need help call 911. , family visits, and Parent Day Seminars. 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. (Check glassdoor reviews) In return, we have lots of untrained, unequipped young adults who arent prepared to deal with seriously mentally ill children. Renewed Hope Ranch seeks "to provide unsurpassed residential care to troubled teenage girls who significantly struggle to overcome their mental, emotional, behavioral and educational challenges," according to its website. The ranch has the best of both worlds: a small-town atmosphere with access to world-class skiing, outdoor activities, surrounded by beautiful mountains, and close to two major universities and hospitals. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. ), There is a significant lack of professional supervision/lack of training, There is a high turnover rate for employees, There is parent manipulation/lies on the programs part for $$, There is lack of necessary medical care to avoid the girls telling a doctor they are being abused, and they are never alone when with a doctor, Run like a bootcamp, zero free time for the kids, every day feels like a punishment, Mormons are running it and very religiously biased, Please. They often cause way more harm than good. Are they just being a teenager? Our parents (his Mom and step-father) regret sending him there even all these years later. Please reach out to me for questions, I will do my best to educate you on what is happening and get you current information. . They gave all the kids the same level of trust, none. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. 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. san andreas fault, palm springs. Your job as parents is to help your child, you guys are the problem not your kids. There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. The ranch horse manager Jerry put a phone in my face showing horses having sex. ! Jack (Yelp), 5/28/2020: (SIBLING) A family member of mine attended this school so everything I have heard is 2nd hand. Lawsuit filed March 3rd against the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF). dont do this to your child We are all begging you. Before you would consider sending your son away, you need to know that he is going to a place you can trust. Allegations of abuse that have been reported by survivors include: forcing a resident to lick cow feces off another residents boots, forcing teenagers to unclog a toilet with their bare hands, adult male staff masturbating while watching underaged residents showering, changing, and using the toilet, teens being fed undercooked food and deprived of food, verbal abuse, include staff shouting and swearing at teenagers, widespread allegations of brainwashing techniques in order to force conformity, use of solitary confinement as punishment, published in 2015 by Catherine Kushan, Discovery Ranch, a treatment center located in Mapleton, Utah, provides an empirical example of how this industry rhetorically manipulates legitimate psychiatric conditions to solicit clients. The staff often used abusive behaviors and were very rude to us. The staff often used abusive behaviors and were very rude to us. We support & vent to each other about how difficult and lonely it was for us to get back to normal life after we left, how it shaped us into the adults we are today, and what steps we took to try and heal from this horrible experience.