Wilderness programs in Utah are very dangerous. Teenagers die in them caused by heat, restraints or withdrawal symptoms from either alcohol or drugs. Often drugs they were prescribed by professionals: Drugs which disable the body’s normal warning signs leading to collapse the body of the teenagers. A number of wilderness programs have been shut down but the need for further regulation remains.
The wilderness program the mother selected was known from Brat Camp which was a television program which today is known for having lured parents to enroll their children in dangerous program. The Sagewalk wilderness program known from the American version of Brat Camp closed in 2009 after a boy died in the program. His friends have started a campaign for justice as the police haven’t been able to finish their investigation yet more than 4 years after he died.
Somehow Antonia made it through the wilderness program alive. 3 months without a real bath, Facebook, cell phone and what every teenager regards as part of every life. But her ordeal wasn’t over yet.
Her mother banished her to a boarding school based on the teaching of the now closed church Synanon. Synanon was closed by the authorities after persons went missing. A supporter of Synanon created a boarding school called CEDU. When the boarding school closed due to threats of lawsuits from parents of former students some teachers and former students started Carlbrook to where Antonia was sent.
Isolated from family and friend she quickly became victim of the Stockholm syndrome. After a period she returned home to her family and is now living a lifestyle very unlike the general teenage culture in the United Kingdom. Her mother has launched a campaign in support for wilderness programs like they function in the United States.
But it would not only be a mistake, it would be wrong. It seems very clear that Nicola Horlick is very out of touch with her own culture. In the United Kingdom there are already support groups for the introduction of Sharia laws replacing the present culture. Should it be the case it would certainly restrict the quality of life for the teenagers. Fact is that there are no problems with the behavior Antonia expressed before her banishment to the United States. More than 7,000 Danish teenagers went to Prague week 7 last year partying exactly like Antonia with any incidents.
Second the question about the danger teenagers experience during wilderness program should be raised. Teenagers die in the wilderness in the United Kingdom too even when they volunteer hiking. A teenager died while participating in the Ten Tors wilderness competition in 2007. An army cadet died at the Loch Carnan in the South Uist area. There is no reason to place additional teenagers in dangerous situations.
As for Antonia she might find her life better today than before she was banished to the United States. However the lesson learned from a number of young adults who have abandoned at similar programs when they were teenagers is that they have an increased risk of suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or depression. We can only hope that she is spared for these normal consequences of ordeals like she endured.
Please avoid banishing your children to foreign wilderness programs or boarding school. The price can be high. Maybe your child dies during the stay. Just ask parents like the one of 17 year old Natasha Newman. She died when the employees raced each other on a field trip. There is no reason to put your child in danger.
Sources:
- Multi-millionaire superwoman Nicola Horlick: The agonising day I let a 'Child Whisperer' into my home to take my daughter Antonia to a US boot camp
- Today a child died - memorial blog