The Interpreted Rock

By Stephen C. Schultz With classrooms like no other -- the 12 -1 student to teacher ratio also provides individualized learning like no other at Discovery Academy . Students work through specialized learning plans with ample opportunity for one-on-one teaching between student and teacher. The academic staff have the credentials to serve students with learning differences as well as kids who can handle AP classes. Learn more

By Stephen C. Schultz Have you ever heard of Drama Therapy? What a cool way for troubled teens to explore their potential and work on developing a healthy identity. Who ever thought that teens with a history of being involved in drugs, running away, fighting with parents, skipping school or physically harming themselves would ever participate in something like this. Discovery Academy is a Clinical Boarding School that blends the best of academics with the clinical support needed to help teens gain perspective, have healthy  experiences with success and move into the rest of their life with the desire to be an independent responsible adult. Discovery Academy is deliberately located in the city. There are numerous opportunities for cultural events, service oriented activities and educational opportunities on college campuses. Students who reach the "Honors Level" have the opportunity to leave campus unaccompanied for work or volunteer responsibilities. All of this t

By Stephen C. Schultz The morning was cool, the air was thin. Dew on the grass sparkled a million flashes as the sun peaked over the snow capped mountain. April, at 5000 feet above sea level, is a beautiful time of year. The valleys are green with spring growth and the mountains retain their white-tipped majesty. This particular morning was not only invigorating to the soul; it also ushered in the day that my 9 year old daughter was performing in the ritualistic yearly classroom school play. She had some speaking parts as well as singing parts in this youthful exercise of dramatic passion. We drove to the school and parked in the over crowded parking lot. Parents and students, hand in hand, weaved in and out of parked vehicles in a steady flow that culminated in a bottle neck at the southeast entrance to the school. The walk down the hallway was brisk as we moved like salmon making their way up stream. As we stepped to the door of my daughter’s classroom, she stopped to show

By Stephen C. Schultz "What can we do to intervene in the life of our struggling teen?" I hear this comment on a regular basis. The number of times I have had this conversation with a family just outside the emergency room in their local hospital is too high to count! Self harm and suicide attempts are stressful for all involved. Often these teens are struggling with drugs, running away, poor grades at school or simply being disenfranchised with life in general. Deciding which therapeutic option is best for their child and their family can be overwhelming. With hundreds of therapeutic programs and services to choose from, parents are confused and uncertain about where to turn for help. Here is a good place to start. Recognized as the foremost leader in Research Informed Treatment, RedCliff Ascent is an Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare program that accepts students from across the globe. If sitting in a stuffy outpatient office hasn't worked well for your son

 By Stephen C. Schultz This is a fun look at wilderness survival gear and low impact camping. I went to RedCliff Ascent with a fancy camera, hooked a hand held mic to a tree limb and interviewed this staff member about the gear he had. Kinda fun! Check it out! Click here for the video! http://www.wildernesswork.com/gear_video.php

By Stephen C. Schultz With a history of a stagnant economy, many college students are graduating and finding it hard enter the work force in their chosen field of study. RedCliff Ascent has staff from across the country with various educational backgrounds. In fact, RedCliff appreciates the diversity in education and experience. The more diverse the staff population, the better able RedCliff can meet the very individual needs of each family and student who enroll in the program. This is a video that is simply staff members discussing their training experience at RedCliff Ascent . Nothing staged, nothing planned. I simply drove around the back country to different teams of students and pulled the staff aside, turned on the camera and let them talk. Great stuff! If having 1000 square miles of back country as your office sounds appealing to you, check out this 30 second, fast paced video! Your Next Job?

By Stephen C. Schultz If you are employed in any of the private service or community careers of education, law, healthcare or mental health counseling you are very aware of an increase in Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB) in the clientele that you serve. Children are being exposed to sexual material through electronic media at an earlier and earlier age. Many students at Oxbow Academy report their first exposure to pornography at 4 yrs old. This issue is affecting families across the country and around the world without regard for race, religion or socioeconomic status. This is a video of an actual conversation with parents whose teenage sons are struggling with sexual behavior problems. For families that find themselves in this same situation, it's important to know that... You're not alone. If you are a parent who finds yourself in this particular situation, please don't hesitate to contact Oxbow Academy . There is help...there is hope!

By Stephen c. Schultz Critical acclaim for the original "Brat Camp" (Filmed at RedCliff Ascent ) was extremely positive. In 2004 the documentary was honored with an International Emmy Award, the highest award given in television, for Best Non-scripted Program. Check out this piece featured in Addiction Professional Magazine

By Stephen C. Schultz Pornography is an ever increasing concern for teens. The static, printed soft-core magazines of past generations are not the norm today. Video and the interactive media of computer games provides a whole different exposure to young developing brains. I see requests for help from parents everyday whose sons are involved in compulsive computer use. These families are worried about their sons school, friends, motivation and social competence. For those who may not have seen the Texas CBS 7 series on teens and pornography, I have included the link below. Oxbow Academy is featured in this investigative report. Teen Porn Addiction 1 Teen Porn Addiction 2 This is always a difficult topic to discuss and one that society has yet to get a grasp on. If you are a clinician that works with teens, you may have seen an increase in these issues among your clientele. There is help...there is hope!

By Stephen C. Schultz RedCliff Ascent was the Wilderness Treatment Program that was featured in the first season of the Emmy Award winning program "Brat Camp". Below are three journal entries from a reporter who spent three days in the back-country living with students enrolled at RedCliff Ascent. Check it out...it may not be what you think! Tough Love? http://www.redcliffascent.com/files/SpectrumArticle1.pdf Teens solve own problems. http://www.redcliffascent.com/files/SpectrumArticle2.pdf RedCliff - An opportunity; not a punishment! http://www.redcliffascent.com/files/SpectrumArticle3.pdf If you like what you've read here or you have a son or daughter who may benefit from an Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare experience, be sure to check out the RedCliff Ascent website at www.redcliffascent.com