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Trails Carolina Death: The Controversy and Criticism of the Wilderness Therapy Program

Trails Carolina is a wilderness therapy program for troubled teens located in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina.

It claims to offer a safe and effective alternative to traditional therapy, using outdoor activities, experiential learning, and clinical interventions to help adolescents overcome their challenges and improve their mental health.

However, the program has also been accused of abuse, negligence, and even death of its participants.

Here are some of the allegations and complaints that have been raised against Trails Carolina and its staff.

Trails Wilderness Program Death

One of the most serious allegations against Trails Carolina is the death of a 16-year-old boy named Alec Lansing in 2014.

Alec was a participant in the program who walked away from his group on November 10, 2014.

A report of Alec missing was made by staff and a massive search effort was launched.

His body was found eight days later in a stream near the Art Loeb Trail in the Shining Rock Wilderness area.

An autopsy revealed that he died of hypothermia after falling from a tree and breaking his hip.

His parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Trails Carolina, alleging that the program failed to provide adequate supervision, care, and safety for their son.

The program settled the lawsuit out of court in 2017 for an undisclosed amount.

Trails Carolina Abuse

Another common complaint against Trails Carolina is the abuse and mistreatment of its participants by the staff.

Stories of subjection to physical, emotional, and psychological abuse by counsellors and therapists.

Some of these stories include:

• forced to sleep on the ground in freezing temperatures without proper clothing or bedding.
• Deprivation of food, water, medication, and hygiene products as a form of punishment or manipulation.
•  verbal abuse, humiliation, threats, and gaslighting by the staff.
• Isolation from their peers and families and prevention from communicating with them.
• Coercion into confessing or admitting things that they did not do or feel.
• Restraining, hitting, kicking, or choking by the staff.

Trails Carolina Reviews

Trails Carolina has received mixed reviews from its former participants and their families.

Some have praised the program for helping them overcome their issues and improve their lives.

They have credited the program for providing them with valuable skills, insights, and support.

They have also expressed gratitude for the staff’s professionalism, compassion, and expertise.

However, some have criticized the program for being ineffective, harmful, and traumatic.

They have blamed the program for worsening their conditions and causing them more pain and suffering.

They have also accused the staff of being unqualified, unethical, and abusive.

SUWS of the Carolina Deaths

SUWS of the Carolinas is another wilderness therapy program that operates in North Carolina.

Aspen Education Group, a company that runs several other programs for troubled teens across the country owns it.

SUWS of the Carolinas has also been involved in several deaths of its participants over the years.

Some of these deaths include:

• Matthew Meyer, 14, died of heatstroke in 2002 after hiking in high temperatures without adequate water or shade.
• Sergey Blashchishen, 15, died of hyperthermia in 2009 after being forced to wear multiple layers of clothing in hot weather.
• Caleb Jensen, 15, died of an infection in 2013 after being bitten by a spider while sleeping on the ground.

Trails Carolina News

Trails Carolina has been featured in several news outlets over the years, both positively and negatively.

Some of these news stories include:

• A report by USA Today in 2022 exposed the horrors and abuses of wilderness therapy programs, including Trails Carolina.
• A story by NBC News in 2021 highlighted the success stories and testimonials of some former campers who benefited from Trails Carolina.
• A segment by ABC News in 2018 investigated the death of Alec Lansing and interviewed his parents who sued Trails Carolina.

Trails North Carolina Wilderness Program

Trails North Carolina Wilderness Program is another name for Trails Carolina.

It is not a separate or different program.

Some people or sources use this variation to refer to it.

Trails Carolina Lawsuit

Trails Carolina has faced several lawsuits from its former participants and their families over the years.

Some of these lawsuits include:

• Alec Lansing’s parents filed the wrongful death lawsuit in 2015.
• A former camper named John Doe 2016 filed  A personal injury lawsuit.
• Several former campers and their families filed a class action lawsuit was filed.

Trails Carolina Horror Stories

Trails Carolina has also been the subject of many horror stories shared by its former participants and their families on various online platforms, such as:

• Reddit
• TikTok
• YouTube
• blogs

Some of these horror stories include:

Conclusion

Trails Carolina is a wilderness therapy program for troubled teens that has been accused of abuse, negligence, and death of its participants.

The program has faced several lawsuits, investigations, and criticisms from its former participants and their families.

Several news stories and online platforms have also featured the program, both positively and negatively.

The program has a controversial and questionable reputation and history.

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