If you want to send your kid to either wilderness or discovery ranch why dont you do us all a favor parents and send your child to Disney Land so theyll be happy rather then send them to whats pretty much a mental institution for parents that have no idea what the fuck there doing. This will provide him with the. Countless amounts of times seeing staff restrain kids in inhumane ways. 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. I literally couldnt make this shit up. 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. 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 family says in the lawsuit. However, in 2013 DR moved their girls program to Cedar City, UT and began makerting theis program as, member since 2005. The decision you make for your child will stay with them forever. He also worked for a time as the Director of NATSAP. The website is misleading. The trauma Ive witnessed, and seen other kids witness was unbearable. In addition, survivors have reported that on the off-chance that they. 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. I had never done drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette at this point in my life. 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. Discovery ranch uses a merit system to punish kids. Im scared to mention my real name because Discovery Ranchs aftercare program still controls my life. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? They dont want to discuss whats actually wrong. The last few years of my life have felt unreal, Ive had migraines with frustration wondering how places like this exist, and how theyve gotten away with so much deceit. There may be more reports for "Discovery Ranch for girls" For more results perform a general search for "Discovery Ranch for girls" Showing 1-1 of 1 . Also there were lawsuits against this place. 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 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 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. These programs are money makers. DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL! , The Troubled Teen Industry: Commodifying Disability and Capitalizing on Fear by Catherine Kushan. The schooling they provide is a joke. This is not just a couple of resentful people. My mind sometimes uncontrollably cradles and turns to static when I hear the same radio noise as the staff used at DR. 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. We all cope in our own ways, but if we can help by sharing our experiences and what we learned, theres not a single one of us that would turn down a younger DR peer that is currently battling our same battles. However, the abuse overshadowed it. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. May their souls rest in peace. I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. I literally couldnt make this shit up. Its another long, tough, painful battle after you leave DR and I havent known one other person who didnt suffer after getting out. 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. When we have the opportunity to get together, its a very special and meaningful time for all of us, we reminisce about the little funny stories that helped us get through the day during our time, we think about about all the suffering we endeared and how we survived, and we always take the time to honor our close friends that didnt and have passed. The reviews on their website are COMPLETELY weeded before theyre posted. STOP DISCOVER RANCH they will play you out of so much money its unbelievable. The staff often used abusive behaviors and were very rude to us. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. Their motto is apparently Strength in the Struggle. You will also be able to observe your sons progress through our secure, password-protected parent portal. Last year, Granby Ranch Metropolitan District, a homeowner-controlled metro district, filed suit against the group of entities associated with the Granby Ranch development. Please save your child from this place. . This type of environment makes reporting abuse and neglect impossible for teenagers. We maintain professional memberships in research organizations, such as The Joint Commission and NATSAP. I still hear screams from my friends being restrained in the back of my mind. I still maintain close relationships with both girls and boys who are around my age (23-27) that have gone through exactly what you are going through now; so whether its easier to talk to a guy or girl or someone with a similar case to yours, I can put you in contact with them if youd like (Free of charge too! Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. Abuse at its finest.. we were totally and utterly underfed, one morning we were fed one mini bagel and one cream cheese. I am at a loss for what to do at this point. The moment I stepped foot on campus, I was treated like some sort of criminal. The tuition is reported to be anywhere between $6,500 to $12,000 per month. Terrible place dont send your child here. You will also be able to observe your sons progress through our secure, password-protected parent portal. They left me more broken than they found me. , Please do not send your child to this horrific and abusive program. First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. 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. Every part of Discovery Ranch, from the amazing campus to the nationally accredited Academic Program, helps to promote growth and healing. They dont want to discuss whats actually wrong. DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL! Jeff (Google Reviews), HEAL Program Information Discovery Ranch, Family Alleges Bestiality at Alternative School, The Troubled Teen Industry: Commodifying Disability and Capitalizing on Fear by Catherine Kushan (mentions Discovery Ranch), Strength in the Struggle A Marketing Video uploaded by the school to YouTube, Discovery Ranch Secret Prisons for Teens. They would restrain kids to the point the kids arm was almost broken. You have tried outpatient therapy. 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. 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. This is my real name, as Im no longer afraid to write my review under an alias. 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. And the scariest part was that it was fantastic during the day; we would do ropes courses and go skiing and horseback riding and talk to a truly kind therapist every day who genuinely though I was insane or a pathological liar and convinced me I was hallucinating or having nightmares. Discovery is the legal term used to describe the different processes that require parties in a lawsuit to exchange information that each side possesses. You and your son will work to rebuild your relationship with weekly family therapy, family visits, and Parent Day Seminars. the villa pacific palisades, ca. 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. 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. 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. I stopped feeling emotions and didnt for two years. We were treated like we were in prison, and if we stepped out of line, we had our privileges taken away. Case No. They often cause way more harm than good. 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. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. Youre parents will love that, Ha!). 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. Your teen is struggling. Feel free to ask anything about my stay I'm an open book. 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. You are a survivor of an abusive environment that is very similar to a prison. They will do everything to keep themselves looking like the best option at all costs just for money. DIAMOND RANCH ACADEMY, INC., Plaintiff and Counterclaim Defendant, v. CHELSEA FILER, Defendant and Counterclaim Plaintiff. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. We were indirectly expected to manipulate visiting parents of troubled kids who have not yet been sent to treatment. 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. It sickens me that even after the kid is out of this place they threaten to send them back to this horrible place. Privileges to some might sound like being able to talk to friends, or having free time. I had never done drugs, drank, or even smoked a cigarette at this point in my life. If anything, kids got worse from being here. 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. Staff parents "were expected to replicate a. Each part of his daily experience will reinforce his therapeutic goals. Are they just being a teenager? The kids come out shell shocked, traumatized and fearful. , As a father I was treated poorly. My cousin went to a place 2 years ago called Shortridge Academy and had a much better experience there. discovery ranch lawsuitshaun thompson elmhurst Consultation Request a Free Consultation Now. (Blood sprayed on me). I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. There thieves taking advantage of parents dispositions and they should be shut down Derek (Google Reviews), 1/12/2014: (SURVIVOR) Link to Anonymous Survivor Testimony, 12/1/2013: (PARENT) After my daughter was here for here for 2 months her condition worsened and she started having suicidal thoughts which had never happened before.When I met with her Dr. how to walk a human a dogs guide. Your PRECIOUS child is NOT safe here! 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. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. THATS WHEN YOU KNOW THE PLACE IS TERRIBLE. , Beware the evil behind their smiling eyes! dont do this to your child We are all begging you. The tuition is reported to be anywhere between $6,500 to $12,000 per month. if I saw him today i would punch him in the face. Education was packets and computer testing only poor. If you are like most parents of Discovery Ranch students, you have been looking for help for a long time. When you try to induct real truths into the once a week, 1/2 hour, monitored phone call, the therapist redirects you to la la land. DISCOVERY RANCH FOR GIRLS Ripoff Reports, Complaints, Reviews, Scams, Lawsuits and Frauds Reported Your Search: Discovery Ranch for girls. They will do everything to keep themselves looking like the best option at all costs just for money. 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. He will receive consistent feedback. After discovery ranch I couldnt even talk to my parents for months because of the trauma it caused me. However, our neighbor whose son went there the following year had all good experiences. 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. We will not share your information. 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. However, the abuse overshadowed it. I am not the only victim. I had been raped when i was 12 and was unable to tell my male therapist or parents about this happening because my family is very Catholic. (and have it be removed weeks later). It makes me fucking sick that this place, along with HUNDREDS of others, still exists, quietly protected under the umbrella of the state government of Utah, and that parents are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for their children to be tortured and driven insane or into obedient, soulless sociopaths. , DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO DISCOVERY RANCH IF YOU CARE ABOUT THEM! Until now I had remembered my experience there as a happy one- I literally only remembered what went on during the day. Discovery Ranch is the Top Residential Treatment Center for Troubled Teen Boys 1318, Located in Utah. If any of you also went there shoot me a pm id like to hear about it. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. 25 votes, 28 comments. Your PRECIOUS child is NOT safe here! Also, I would sit there and talk to my therapist while he takes notes and this is a direct quote is that it? Then the session was over. 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. My personal experience here was horrible. After essentially being re-traumatized after remembering all this, I recently went on a five day bender started Wednesday where I got high and or drunk every waking moment, which culminated with me waking up on my bathroom floor on Monday morning covered in blood and vomit next to two empty bottles of wine and Xanax spilled across the floor with a five page suicide note on my computer that Id written in a blackout. 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. Now, other past guests on the show are coming forward with similar stories, including . Its funny, almost all of the kids that left as a level 5 or 4 ARE DOING DRUGS AND ARE DOING WORSE AT HOME, goes to show how little the program works. DISCOVERY RANCH - 20 Photos & 27 Reviews - 1308 S 1600th W, Mapleton, UT - Yelp Restaurants Home Services Auto Services Discovery Ranch 27 reviews Unclaimed Counseling & Mental Health Edit Write a review Add photo Save Photos & videos See all 20 photos Add photo Location & Hours 1308 S 1600th W Mapleton, UT 84664 Get directions Edit business info Non-Verbal Learning Disability including High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD). 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. The Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, which airs on Discovery Channel, is currently in its fifth season. 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. The website is misleading. For a year I was put down and felt stupid and inadequate and my opinion didnt matter and if I decided to express it I would be put on some protocol that restricted me from doing anything but sitting at a fucking desk and staring at the god damn wall. 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. 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. Your Call is Confidential. Id go on to say I have PTSD. 10 Discovery Ranch for Girls reviews. Are they just being a teenager? There are over 600 people in 2 different groups put together, and we are all in contact with many kids that just left. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. Discovery Ranch has been a NATSAP member since 2005. They made me feel disgusting and quite hideous. Please. The chidren cant even have open discussions with other inmates there for fear of being punished and losing privileges. I was there almost ten years ago, and it feels like yesterday because of my PTSD. They gave all the kids the same level of trust, none. Clinton Dorny is the Executive Director of Discovery Ranch. They are there only to try and give the staff (who by the way have no training in psychology at all) an easier time. This place did not save my life it scared me to have problems. H.A. Lawsuit filed March 3rd against the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF). We have the record and independent verification to prove it. As I walked away in shock he was tackled by staff.This was after I had already seen two separate suicide attempts. You Have Questions, We Have Answers. Staff refusing to let kid use the bathroom, and making him pee/poop himself. My mind sometimes uncontrollably cradles and turns to static when I hear the same radio noise as the staff used at DR. 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. Lawsuits, harassment then found him. Contact one of our well-trained representatives now. It is run like a prison. I highly suggest people look it up, one of the most disgusting things Ive ever read in my life: . This is my real name, as Im no longer afraid to write my review under an alias. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. I suggest seeking different options for your child. But, the couple was later outspoken on social media about the extent to which they were helped by the Raney family. You have tried community resources or other programs. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. The civil lawsuit seeks a minimum of $350,000. They will dream about it years after, waking up in the middle of the night from nightmares about being back there. If you are in an urgent situation and need help call 911. Its another long, tough, painful battle after you leave DR and I havent known one other person who didnt suffer after getting out. 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. They want the parents to say only what they tell them to say. I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. This merit system was easy for some kids to abuse, in one circumstance during my stay, a child was repeatedly raped, and was threatened with the merit system to get him to keep quiet. san andreas fault, palm springs. the licensed substance abuse counselor has obviously never touched a substance in her life. I cannot even put into words the pain I feel even today when my experience gets brought up or when I read about other kids that are STILL suffering from having to go through this program. Caring, experienced professionals are ready to help your son. Discovery Ranch is reported by many survivors to be an extremely abusive program. You have been warned and I still have ptsd and Ive been going to therapy for 2 and a half years and more to come. 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. 2:14-CV-751-TC. Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. 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. You can find much better treatment for a better price. However, our neighbor whose son went there the following year had all good experiences. Kids are constantly getting restrained and put on drugs to keep them under control. They tear children apart, and they come out broken. Stay in touch with the other people you shared your time with during DR, reach out to them when things are tough, talk about your struggles. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. It brought everything back because I lived that experience, except for ten months and it was real. I still have insomnia and night terrors of being at that place. Happened several times to my friends. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. This investigative process is aptly named "discovery," because it often turns up facts and documents that were previously unknown -- to at . I have constant dreams where bugs are crawling all over my skin and I wake up screaming from anxiety. Listen to your child, what do they think they need? I ended up running away from this program and deciding on a much better program that actually wanted to help people. He can participate in various sports teams, such as basketball, flag football, wrestling, and cross-country running. 54A District Court 124 W. Michigan Ave., #54A Lansing, MI 48933 (517) 483-4433 Court Website. ), 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. BE CAREFUL OF THEM. James (Yelp), 2019: (SURVIVOR) This place is sickening. Your son will have the opportunity to build the strength and resilience he needs to thrive at home. 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. I felt like i somehow deserved to be treated like this and I think a part of me knew I could never stand living in the real world after all this happened. The location is part of a dispute between the city and one tow truck company that filed a federal lawsuit on Dec. 2, 2020. Discovery Ranch South offers the perfect healing environment for troubled teens with mental health or behavioral issues. Also MAY I NOTE THAT THEY ARE SO DESPERATE THAT THEY NEED THEIR OWN STAFF MEMEBERS TO WRITE REVIEWS. Please save your child from this place. Jason (Google Reviews), 6/10/2016: (SURVIVOR) Terrible place dont send your child here. I posted this exact review several times spacing itself out several months. The schooling they provide is a joke. 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. 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. Also, I would sit there and talk to my therapist while he takes notes and this is a direct quote is that it? Then the session was over. This is not just a couple of resentful people. Their website lists the following conditions the program claims to treat: various mental illnesses including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, ADHD, and oppositional defiance the last of which is no longer listed in the DSM substance abuse and other addictions, eating disorders [] learning disorders and nonverbal learning disability [] social struggles, low self-esteem, adoption/attachment issues, and grief and loss The unadvertised conditions that I witnessed among detainees included being LGBT, Internet addiction, and one girl in particular was sent there for having a black boyfriend.