Western NC therapy camp loses accreditation after death of boy
A troubled Western North Carolina outdoor therapy camp has not met standards of a therapeutic program, a certifying organization is now saying after its vote to suspend the accreditation of Trails Carolina in Transylvania County.
The accreditation loss is the latest in the myriad problems faced by the camp that is under criminal investigation and fighting to keep its state mental health care facility license after the Feb. 3 death of a camper at its facility in Lake Toxaway more than an hour from Asheville.
"The incident at Trails Carolina is tragic. It has sparked national media attention and involves a criminal investigation. This is an unprecedented situation in the Association for Experiential Education's 34-year accreditation program and therefore, we have strived to proceed with intentionality, empathy and professionalism," the nonprofit AAE said in a May 3 statement about its council's April 29 vote to suspend accreditation.
The death of the camper, a 12-yearold boy from New York City, has brought additional attention to what critics call the "troubled teen industry," which sees large profits through treatment centers, wilderness camps and other programs. The boy was the second camper to die since 2014. Two former campers recently have sued in federal court, saying Trails Carolina failed to protect them from sexual assault by other campers. One case was settled, the other is ongoing.
The AAE noted that the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services found five deficiencies under state regulations and filed an "intent to revoke" the license of Trails Carolina, which is currently closed.
"The AEE accreditation standards require state licensure for a program to remain accredited," the statement said.
A camp spokesperson on May 6 declined to comment on the accreditation loss.
Asked about the status of its state license, spokesperson Wendy D'Alessandro said, "there's no additional information to share."
After DHHS announced March 28 its intent to revoke the camp's license, Trails Carolina filed a "plan of correction," laying out proposed changes but also pushing back on some state findings. State health regulators are now making their final decision on the revocation. Trails Carolina can appeal to the
Office of Administrative Hearings.
The criminal case is currently on hold as sheriff's deputies await an FBI computer forensic analysis and a state toxicology report.
Trails Carolina charged an average of $66,000 for an 83-day outdoor experiential treatment program for major depressive disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and other disorders.
It is one of two licensed residential therapeutic camps in N.C., according to a state database of nearly 4,000 licensed mental health facilities.
Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-7131095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.