Digest

This podcast delves into the tragic death of Aaron Bacon, a 16-year-old boy who died while attending a wilderness therapy program called North Star Expeditions. The podcast begins by introducing Aaron's troubled background and his parents' decision to send him to North Star in hopes of addressing his behavioral issues. It then details Aaron's experiences at North Star, highlighting his initial resistance to the program, his clashes with staff, and the harsh conditions he endured. The podcast describes Aaron's physical decline, his complaints of illness, and the counselors' dismissal of his concerns. The podcast then explores the history of the wilderness therapy industry, focusing on the rise of programs like Summit Quest and Challenger. It details the deaths of Michelle Sutton and Kristen Chase, both of whom died while attending these programs, and the subsequent legal battles and investigations. The podcast examines the investigation into Aaron's death, highlighting the discrepancies between the accounts of camp counselors and the evidence found in Aaron's journal and the journals of his fellow campers. It details the charges brought against North Star staff and the subsequent legal proceedings. The podcast concludes by exploring the aftermath of Aaron's death, including the closure of North Star, the ongoing struggle of his parents, and the continued problems within the wilderness therapy industry. It discusses the lack of regulation and oversight, the prevalence of abuse, and the need for greater protection for vulnerable teenagers.

Outlines

00:00:45

The Death of Aaron Bacon and the Troubled Teen Industry

This chapter introduces the case of Aaron Bacon, a 16-year-old boy who died while attending a wilderness therapy program called North Star Expeditions. The chapter details Aaron's troubled background, his parents' decision to send him to North Star, and the events leading up to his death.

00:19:41

Aaron's Experiences at North Star and the Harsh Realities of Wilderness Therapy

This chapter delves into Aaron's experiences at North Star, highlighting his initial resistance to the program, his clashes with staff, and the harsh conditions he endured. It describes his physical decline, his complaints of illness, and the counselors' dismissal of his concerns.

00:42:55

A History of Abuse and Neglect in the Wilderness Therapy Industry

This chapter explores the history of the wilderness therapy industry, focusing on the rise of programs like Summit Quest and Challenger. It details the deaths of Michelle Sutton and Kristen Chase, both of whom died while attending these programs, and the subsequent legal battles and investigations.

00:57:43

The Investigation into Aaron's Death and the Failure of Oversight

This chapter examines the investigation into Aaron's death, highlighting the discrepancies between the accounts of camp counselors and the evidence found in Aaron's journal and the journals of his fellow campers. It details the charges brought against North Star staff and the subsequent legal proceedings.

01:10:57

The Aftermath and Legacy of Aaron's Death

This chapter explores the aftermath of Aaron's death, including the closure of North Star, the ongoing struggle of his parents, and the continued problems within the wilderness therapy industry. It discusses the lack of regulation and oversight, the prevalence of abuse, and the need for greater protection for vulnerable teenagers.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the circumstances surrounding Aaron Bacon's death?

  Aaron Bacon died while attending a wilderness therapy program called North Star Expeditions. He suffered from a perforated ulcer, which was likely caused by a combination of hypothermia, stress, and malnutrition. His death was ruled a homicide due to the negligence of North Star staff, who failed to provide him with adequate medical care.

• What were some of the key issues with the wilderness therapy industry at the time of Aaron's death?

  The wilderness therapy industry was largely unregulated, with few safeguards in place to protect vulnerable teenagers. Programs often employed unqualified staff, used harsh and abusive methods, and failed to provide adequate medical care. This led to a number of deaths and injuries, highlighting the need for greater oversight and regulation.

• What impact did Aaron's death have on the wilderness therapy industry?

  Aaron's death brought the problems within the wilderness therapy industry to national attention. It led to increased scrutiny of these programs, stricter regulations in some states, and a greater awareness of the potential dangers of these programs. However, the industry continues to operate with limited oversight, and cases of abuse and neglect continue to occur.

• What are some of the warning signs of a potentially dangerous wilderness therapy program?

  Some warning signs of a potentially dangerous wilderness therapy program include: a lack of transparency about the program's methods and qualifications of staff, a history of complaints or lawsuits, a high turnover rate of staff, and a lack of access to medical care.

• What can parents do to protect their children from the dangers of the wilderness therapy industry?

  Parents should thoroughly research any wilderness therapy program before sending their child. They should look for programs that are licensed and accredited, have a strong track record of safety, and provide access to qualified medical care. They should also be wary of programs that use harsh or abusive methods, and they should be prepared to remove their child from any program that they believe is unsafe.

• What are some of the alternatives to wilderness therapy for troubled teens?

  There are many alternatives to wilderness therapy for troubled teens, including traditional therapy, family therapy, and residential treatment centers. Parents should work with a mental health professional to determine the best course of treatment for their child.

• What are some of the challenges facing the wilderness therapy industry today?

  The wilderness therapy industry continues to face challenges, including a lack of regulation, a high rate of abuse, and a lack of transparency. There is a need for greater oversight and accountability within the industry to ensure the safety of vulnerable teenagers.

• What are some of the resources available to families who are considering wilderness therapy for their child?

  There are a number of resources available to families who are considering wilderness therapy for their child, including the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

• What are some of the ethical considerations involved in the use of wilderness therapy?

  There are a number of ethical considerations involved in the use of wilderness therapy, including the potential for abuse, the lack of informed consent, and the potential for harm to the child. It is important for parents to carefully consider these ethical issues before sending their child to a wilderness therapy program.

Show Notes