Best Wilderness Experience

Mark wrote this response to our request for grads to share their RedCliff wilderness experiences. We thought you might relate:

hi, my name is mark and i was in redcliff 8 years ago now, i still dream of my memories of that place, i find it amazing how we take so many simple things for granted and redcliff has a way of opening your eyes to the beauty of the world and eachother, the power of recieving letters from your loved ones and being able to read them 1000 times and get a different meaning every time is just magic,

i come from ireland and to be honest at first i would never of considered this place for me to go, i didnt speak to my parents and done everything to push them as far from my life as i could, one day they asked me to sit at the table on a monday and told me about redcliff and that an oppurtunity had come up for me to go on thursday, after months of not speaking to my parents i physicaly broke down in tears as i couldnt believe that after everything i had done they still loved me enough to try and allow me to help myself, i knew i had to do this so i decided to go

i joined a group called the ravens, i found it strange at first everyone being called iron wolf and whispering eagle and so on lol, i remember my first experience was when we went to sit for dinner and i asked where is my fork and the leader said go find a branch and make one, i thought this was a joke but they were serious, pulling splinters from my lips on my first nite was not what i was expecting lol

i found myself growing very jealous of the other members in my team as it took me over a month before i bowed my first cole, the sense of accomplishment over a cole was overwhelming, passing my first 2 phases in the folder i never thought id be so grateful of salt and pepper lol

when i arrived at redcliff i saw myself as a sheep but as time went on i seen myself as a shepard, i led our group and provided support to other members in the team, i couldnt believe i was a leader. i made such an effort to keep everyones spirits up and used to sing a song, anyone reading this who knows this song will remember who i am = ill tell me ma when i come home the boys wont leave those girls alone, they pull my hair and stole my comb but thats alright till i go home, she is handsome she is pretty, she is the bell of belfast city, she is counting 123 please will you tell me who is she = i couldnt believe the sense of pride i got when i recieved my name ( Discover Fire Starter) after it took me so long to get my first fire i made it my goal to get my fire badge which i did, to be 1 of only a few people to of achieved this makes me very very proud

this whole experience has completely changed my life and the person that i am, i love life again and love me for me, you all are wonderful people and i have nothing but respect and love for what you have done for me, you will stay in my heart forever and i will return to work for you to give back what i got

id like to leave you with a poem i wrote on solo that still to this day makes me cry when i read it:

as i lie here now and the rain hits my head, i remember long ago wishing i was dead, those thoughts hurt and all of that pain, wouldnt leave my head i drove myself insane, but suicide wasnt the answer my family was, they helped me day by day, to them i give my applause, no matter what i did they still kept strong, even through the drugs which i did for so long, as i sit here now i realise what ive done, so ill stay and face my problems no longer will i run, cos runnings what i did i ran from my fears, i ran from my worries and from my parents tears, because it was my blindness that stopped this in the past, but im part of a family again and this i will make last, thinking of them now it is clear to see, im no longer just mark, i am mark halpenny,you have made me realise who i am inside, my thoughts now warm my heart and fill me up with pride, because as i lie here now and look at stars above, i realise theres only one drug i want, and thats the drug of LOVE!!!

thanks again for taking the time to read this, i will never forget what you all did for me and one day i will return the favour, thats a promise!!!

Congratulations and Thanks!

Congratulations to Trevor, Melinda, Gabriella and John! They shared their RedCliff stories and won Kindle e-readers. You should be receiving them today. John – we’re still trying to figure out how to ship yours. Who knew Canada was on the “no ship” list?

Watch for each of their posts coming to our blog beginning tomorrow. Share your comments and your own RedCliff story.

“Like” RedCliff? Tell Us Why and You May Win

What’s your RedCliff experience? In honor of our new Facebook site – www.facebook.com/RCAscent – we’re giving you a chance to like us there and share your story here.

What’s your connection to us? Share your story here, “like” us on our new page, and you could end up winning an e-reader. (You know how critical good Kindle-ing is.)

Here are the official rules:

1.  Like us on Facebook – RCAscent – and post a comment here about why you like us.

2.  Post your comment here between April 1 and May 1, 2012.

3.  No purchase necessary.

4.  Winners may not be Ascent employees or family members of any Ascent employees.

5.  Winners chosen at random and will be notified by email.

6.  No bow/drill set necessary to win.

Thanks for being part of the RedCliff family and good luck! We can’t wait to hear from you.

Lost and Found: Observations of a Wilderness Therapist

While it may not make intuitive sense, winter is my favorite time of year in the wilderness of Southern Utah.  I have spent about 18 winters in the field with the concomitant adventure that each of those winters has presented.  I think the thing that I like most about winter is the clarity that it brings to every situation.  There is an immediacy and emergent quality associated with winter and the necessary tasks of each day and there is little latitude for obfuscation and avoidance.  There will typically be at least one late night in the field with students every week in the winter.  The crisp chill of the air and freezing temperatures are strong motivation for students to remain by the fire with me and encounter themselves with the clarity that winter brings.  Traveling out of the vast expanse of our field on chilly winter evenings with snow on the ground and a bright moon provides clarity of the valleys and mountains which is unlike that observed during daylight hours.  A vision and direction for desired travel is illuminated and the certainty of obtaining the goal destination of travel is bolstered.  On evenings such as these it is not difficult to foster a sense of accomplishment for the day’s efforts and an appreciation for those students who are finding new meaning in their own lives.

Just as the opportunity for clarity is presented on those late winter evenings, the potential to become significantly lost is just as strong in the winter as well.  Many is the time when I have found myself hiking away from a group’s isolated location to return to my vehicle which would have been left at an accessible point on the road.  Winter storms are good at covering tracks that were made on the hike from the vehicle to the group earlier in the day.  When the clouds impede the light of the moon and snow is falling in a blizzard-like rate, misdirection in the dense woods of juniper and pinion pine is quite easily taken.  In the earlier days of Redcliff I used to berate myself on these late-night wanderings for not taking a compass reading when I left my vehicle.  Slow to learn, now I also continue to question my actions in not setting a waypoint on my gps.  I always have a number of rationalizations as to why I failed to do either of those actions in preparation for a dark hike through the woods.  I typically  tell myself that I have been out here long enough that I know the area well enough that I shouldn’t get lost, but every time I get lost  I realize whatever rationalizations I may have made hold little comfort.  The landscape and navigation markers change quite rapidly in the midst of a blizzard.  Regardless as to how it “should” be, the reality of confusion and vulnerability requires a coping response to the situation.  Much like the students that find themselves at Redcliff, the initial tendency is to continue to forge ahead doing the same thing that I was doing, regardless of the fact that I was actually moving myself further from my intended destination.  I have found myself wandering in circles and on occasion, moving in a direction 180 degrees away from the correct path.  Without an effective coping strategy, it is quite easy to exacerbate the situation from something that was initially mildly disconcerting to a situation which could potentially become life-threatening.  At that point, I must remind myself that whatever I am doing is not effective and I must disrupt the process somehow.  I typically do this now by repeating to myself a verse that I discovered a few years back by David Wagoner.  It is a poem entitled “Lost”.

Stand still.  The trees ahead and the bushes beside you

Are not lost.  Wherever you are is called Here,

And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,

Must ask it permission to know it and to be known.

The forest breathes.  Listen.  It answers,

I have made this place around you.

If you leave it you may come back again saying Here.

No two trees are the same to Raven.

No two branches are the same to Wren.

If what a tree or bush does is lost on you,

You are surely lost.  Stand still.  The forest knows

Where you are.  You must let it find you.

The first step is always to stand still.  I find that to be the most difficult thing for us as humans.  We want to keep the frenetic energy of the old patterns and delusions of control in place.  We give verbal homage to the idea of becoming more effective humans, but we tend to stumble through the darkness with no sense of direction and purpose.  It is only on those occasions where we can be still and let the direction and purpose find us do we then know how to really proceed.  After those periods of blindly wandering around, the reemergence of clarity is a welcome relief.  Dr. Daniel Sanderson, RedCliff Ascent Therapist

Are You Stuck? Therapy Help is Closer Than You Think

Cutting Edge Therapy and Real Change

When your family becomes part of ours we feel honored and committed to provide the very best therapy for your child. Recently, we received this email from the parents of one of our grads. With their permission, we’ve changed their names in order to share their feelings with you:

John and I wanted to officially thank all the instructors and Winter Rose who has made such a difference to Susan’s life. It is so encouraging to see Susan use the skills she has developed, to make better decisions. We are so grateful for the help and support that the team has shown Susan and for the lessons in life that have been shared.  We are excited about the opportunities that await Susan as she  continues to reach her potential.

Your program is a cutting edge, worthwhile and life changing experience. What a wonderful opportunity you have to improve the lives of young adults. We cannot thank you enough for restoring the life of our beautiful daughter.

With Sincere thanks,

Smith Family

Australia

The Story of My Life: Troubled Teens Write Autobiographies

Autobiographies and Parent Narratives:  A vital Part of the Treatment Process

An important aspect of the therapeutic process for students at RedCliff Ascent is the compilation of an autobiography.  Students write a 40 page autobiography while in the program as part of completing the phase work.  This exercise affords students the opportunity to reflect on the issues that have led to their need to be in treatment. Students share this writing with their therapist and with their treatment group.  Students find confidence to be open and genuine about their lives as they share their writings.  Students find healing as they authentically share their life experience with others.

 Parents also have the opportunity to participate in this process as they draft writing assignments that correlate with the autobiography called parent narratives.  These narratives provide parents  with the chance to share their perspective on their child’s life and brings the parent voice into the therapy sessions.  Therapists read the parent narratives together with the students in the therapy sessions. 

Many families have found healing through the process of the autobiographies and parent narratives.   Students leave the program with a 40 page written story of their life along with their parents’ written version of their life.  These documents become even more valuable over time as students look back on their process of growth and how their wilderness experience has impacted the path they choose for the future. By Matt Bulkley, Clinical Director, RedCliff Ascent

Watch the video: Matt explains the significance of these therapy assignments.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOaeTZ8zlOs&list=UUSV01eMoC2Y5UHbBA4p-fmw&index=5&feature=plcp

The Perks of Perspective and Teen Wilderness Therapy

As Executive Director, I can find gobs of reasons as to why I need to stay in the office, sit at my desk, talk on the phone and get that growing pile of paperwork done.  The problem is there are always phone calls to be made, paperwork to be done and any number of tasks to complete to keep Redcliff Ascent on track.  All of it important and necessary. 

Going to the field is a perk – I get to see students in various stages of treatment, mood and progression.  How is the gear working that we provide?  How has the weather affected the students and staff?  How creative are they with the food?  How are staff interacting with students?   Oh, the things I can learn by observing, chatting and being a part of the group  – evn for just a short time. 

Students often inquire as to what it is I “do” here at RCA.  I just tell them I work in the office and consider it a treat to be out in the field with them. 

I always come back to the office rejuvinated, in a better mood and with an even better appreciation of what it is we really do here at RCA.    We have the opportunity to shape young lives, to present other ideas and ways of looking at the world and, in particular, their situation. by Andrea Burgess, Executive Director, RedCliff Ascent

Christmas in the Wilderness

The month of December can be a treacherous one at Red Cliff Ascent.  It is often the first month of truly wintry weather and the stress of being away from family and friends during the holidays can take its toll on staff and students alike.  While we can’t control the weather we do like to show a little Christmas Spirit by holding a “shin-dig” at our Outpost facility.

The Christmas festivities start off on December 24th when our support staff make an evening visit to each group with hot chocolate and candy canes.  This year the night skies were clear of snow, but the temperature dropped into the low teens and single digits.  Having a hot cup of peppermint and chocolate, along with the chance to sing some Christmas Carols around a juniper and pine campfire, made the night a little more special and helped the cold air bite just a little bit less.

The morning of the 25th was an early one for everyone involved in the making of a wilderness Christmas.  This year Leslie Bishop, our Director of Human Resources, brought her family out to the field to serve breakfast to the staff and students.  The Bishops woke up early, ignored the presents under the tree, and drove the 90 minutes to Outpost to help our backup driver, Shadow, and myself create a Christmas breakfast that would be special for all of our students.

 
As the students hiked towards Outpost our staff and volunteers diced up mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers, they crumbled bacon, fried hash browns, and stirred up gallons of hot chocolate.  By 9:30AM, when all the groups arrived, there was a a decorated juniper tree, a stack of six Dutch ovens, and a roaring fire to greet them.  

Breakfast was a heaping serving of “mountain man breakfast” for everyone involved; fluffy eggs, bacon, potatoes, and vegetables topped off with melted cheese and salsa.  Orange juice and hot chocolate washed it all down.  And then we got started on the presents!

The weeks before Christmas our office turns into a miniature North Pole as presents arrive from all over for our students.  Parents are asked to limit their gift-giving to items that will prove useful in the wilderness; light fleece jackets, gloves, mittens, beanies, and scarves are all popular gifts.  

The unwrapping of presents and trying on of new gear is always exciting, but the most touching part of the day for me is listening to students read over the letters from their family and talk about how much the notes of love and cheer mean to them.  

As I snap photos of the students for our Parent Portal I can’t help but think of all the families that are attending to their holiday traditions, but are missing an important member.  This absence is never easy and it is certainly felt by our students and staff.  Still, there is a knowledge that all of us involved in this celebration are here for a reason and out at Outpost there is a happy spirit.   by Ryan Hill, Weekend Director

To see a video of our Thanksgiving celebration, visit www.redcliffascent.com/videos

Thanksgiving at RedCliff Ascent

Holidays such as Thanksgiving will be a very different experience for a student at Redcliff Ascent.  Instead of gathering at Grandma’s house for dinner with extended family, RCA students will spend the day with their group in a camp in the remote southern Utah wilderness. 

The group will have a layover day on Thanksgiving, which means they will relax and not have to hike.  The staff will help the students prepare a fabulous meal consisting of turkey with the fixings cooked in a dutch oven. There will be rolls, cranberry sauce and green beans as well.  To top off this fine meal, the students will be treated to pumpkin pie!

Even though it will be hard for our students to be away from their families during this holiday season, the memories they will make in the wilderness will last a lifetime and hopefully always be a cherished memory.

Redcliff Ascent is thankful for the opportunity to serve all of the families we are privileged to work with each year.  Happy Holidays from our family to yours! Phyllis Cooper, Office Manager

Here’s a look at this year’s celebration: http://youtu.be/oHHvk5G0XBk