NC - 12-year-old dies at Trails Carolina wilderness therapy camp, Lake Toxaway, February 2024

[Izzylizzy]

View attachment 483743
Founder. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Graham Shannonhouse has been actively involved in the wilderness therapy field for more ...

Home - Family Help & Wellness

Family Help & Wellness supports a group of programs that implement structured, therapeutically immersive treatments -- making a real difference in the lives of thousands of youth.

famhelp.com

 

[ch_13]

Edit:
A password is now needed to read about her.
Betcha this is a recent requirement.

Trails Carolina Staff Bio: Graham Shannonhouse​

Trails Carolina
https://trailscarolina.com › graham-shannonhouse



View attachment 483743
Founder. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Graham Shannonhouse has been actively involved in the wilderness therapy field for more ...

For the archived page from Feb 6, you can click here:

Trails Carolina Staff Bio: Graham Shannonhouse - Trails Carolina

Meet Graham Shannonhouse, Founder and Executive Director. She formed Trails with the intention of providing real help for struggling or troubled kids and teens.

web.archive.org

I see she's listed as the founder. Is she also the owner?

 

[borndem]

Welcome to Websleuths,
Mack the Knife !!​

 

[Izzylizzy]

For the archived page from Feb 6, you can click here:

Trails Carolina Staff Bio: Graham Shannonhouse - Trails Carolina

Meet Graham Shannonhouse, Founder and Executive Director. She formed Trails with the intention of providing real help for struggling or troubled kids and teens.

web.archive.org

I see she's listed as the founder. Is she also the owner?

Don't know, she could be.
If she isn't wouldn't she have had to have sold it?

 

[Izzylizzy]

Home - Family Help & Wellness

Family Help & Wellness supports a group of programs that implement structured, therapeutically immersive treatments -- making a real difference in the lives of thousands of youth.

famhelp.com

You can say that again.

"Trails Carolina Is Different"

'In theory, the troubled teen industry should represent a beacon of hope for families navigating the stormy seas of child and teen difficulties. Unfortunately, the industry has been defined by its dark history that includes a disconcerting pattern of exploitation, lack of oversight, and questionable treatment practices, leaving programs that, in reality, are

quite far from this troubled history, such as Trails Carolina, left in the shadows, and families who are in great need of help for their child left without hope.

Trails Carolina, situated in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, is a dual-diagnosis wilderness therapy program that prioritizes youth behavioral and mental health treatment. Due to the changes that have occurred over the years, we must assess this program independently, detached from the negative reputation and dark history of the troubled teen industry.

Trails Carolina implements evidence-based practices, communication with participants and their parents, and a commitment to the mental health of struggling adolescents, unlike the harmful, unregulated programs of the past."

 

[Izzylizzy]

For the archived page from Feb 6, you can click here:

Trails Carolina Staff Bio: Graham Shannonhouse - Trails Carolina

Meet Graham Shannonhouse, Founder and Executive Director. She formed Trails with the intention of providing real help for struggling or troubled kids and teens.

web.archive.org

I see she's listed as the founder. Is she also the owner?

Graham Shannonhouse - Executive Director​

LinkedIn · Graham Shannonhouse
10+ followers



Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, United States · Executive Director · TRAILS Carolina
Adult, Family & Adolescent Therapist- specializing in MAT. DUI service provider. Champaign, IL · Connect ...

 

[Izzylizzy]

A password is now needed here too.

Trails Carolina Staff | Top Wilderness Therapy Programs ...​

Trails Carolina
https://trailscarolina.com › adventure-wilderness-staff



Trails Carolina wilderness programs offer comprehensive and integrated therapeutic programs based on research and experience. The focus is on individualized ...

Trails Carolina - Leading Wilderness Therapy For Teens and ...​

Trails Carolina
https://trailscarolina.com



Trails Carolina is a wilderness therapy program helping teens and adolescents ages 10-17 who struggle with mental health challenges. Learn more.

‎Trails Carolina Staff · ‎Cost of Wilderness Therapy · ‎Admissions · ‎Trails Carolina Blog

 

[Izzylizzy]

For the archived page from Feb 6, you can click here:

Trails Carolina Staff Bio: Graham Shannonhouse - Trails Carolina

Meet Graham Shannonhouse, Founder and Executive Director. She formed Trails with the intention of providing real help for struggling or troubled kids and teens.

web.archive.org

I see she's listed as the founder. Is she also the owner?

Founder
Executive Director
and
Owner

Mission Statement

'We create connections. Rooted in tradition, the Trails Carolina team cultivates personalized experiences for youth and families through a modern transitional wilderness model that teaches adaptability and resilience.Graham Shannonhouse (Founder & Owner/Operator) established Trails in 2008 to deliver upon the promise of wilderness therapy—to create lasting change in the behaviors of teens.'

Ownership Type
Private Company – Owners On-Site

Name of Parent Company
Trails

Name of Sister Company
Trails Academy

Type of Land
Privately Owned

Programs

Discover personalized treatment options for troubled teens & young adults. Expert guidance to navigate transitions & find the right interventions for your family.

www.allkindsoftherapy.com

 

[MsMarple]

Aug.3. 2023

Trails Carolina and other program leaders should be key stakeholders in federal and state decision-making, engaging with parents and legislators to make substantial improvements in the industry.”

!!!!!!! Graham Shannonhouse, Founder of Trails Carolina

Deep-Seated Issues in the Troubled Teen Industry: Trails Carolina’s Role and a Call to Action

Trails Carolina students sit in a circle on the ground outdoors. Trails therapist, Amanda Mojave, and Trails Carolina student. A Trails Carolina student and her parents sit on the ground outside and work on an emotional process and communication activity using flash cards. Accredited academic...

www.kron4.com

All the smoke and mirrors from camp staff and the founder plus testimony from members here who experienced horrible treatment at other similar programs make me want to see a complete timeline of the boy’s death. Including the days before. And a complete account.

Was he ever seen by the consulting doctor prior to being placed in an inescapable bivy and laid on a wood floor? Was he on any medications? Was he given any medication that day/night? If so was it his own or prescribed by the camp consulting doctor - by phone or in person? Was he prone to panic attacks?

In other words did any medical professional evaluate the boy? I suppose we’ll hear more eventually. At least I hope do.

And to add… IMO a lawsuit is on the horizon. I hope the business doesn’t file for bankruptcy or pull shenanigans in order to escape ownership of their part in the boy’s death.
All MOO

 

[MsMarple]

For the archived page from Feb 6, you can click here:

Trails Carolina Staff Bio: Graham Shannonhouse - Trails Carolina

Meet Graham Shannonhouse, Founder and Executive Director. She formed Trails with the intention of providing real help for struggling or troubled kids and teens.

web.archive.org

I see she's listed as the founder. Is she also the owner?

Yes, listed as founder and owner. Camp opened in 2008.

NC - 12-year-old dies at Trails Carolina wilderness therapy camp, Lake Toxaway, February 2024

Poor kid. And poor parents. On paper the school looks great. I’m sure desparate parents hope it will get their child back on track. But the mix of students seems problematic to me. Although they are grouped by age and gender, there seems to be a good chance that your child could be grouped with...

www.websleuths.com

 

[ch_13]

Founder
Executive Director
and
Owner

Mission Statement

'We create connections. Rooted in tradition, the Trails Carolina team cultivates personalized experiences for youth and families through a modern transitional wilderness model that teaches adaptability and resilience.Graham Shannonhouse (Founder & Owner/Operator) established Trails in 2008 to deliver upon the promise of wilderness therapy—to create lasting change in the behaviors of teens.'

Programs

Discover personalized treatment options for troubled teens & young adults. Expert guidance to navigate transitions & find the right interventions for your family.

www.allkindsoftherapy.com

I don't think she's the owner anymore. I looked at the most recent annual report filed with the NC Sec of State, and the owner appears to be a company called Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC out of Salem OR.

But it appears there's a whole bunch of interlocking companies. So far, I've found Trails Momentum, Family Help & Wellness and The Springs Living (note that they all share the same basic web design). I'm sure there are others as well. As to who the owner is, I can't say. I'd need to dig through a bunch of filings to get to the bottom of it. But I'd bet it's some private equity firm.

And here's the PDF of their annual report:

 

[Izzylizzy]

Is this where they scooted the kids away to before LE/Fire arrived.
I'm curious if the boys who were in the cabin with the deceased boy were the only ones that were taken to their other location?
Transported before they called 911?

Academy At Trails Carolina (2024 Profile)​

Private School Review
https://www.privateschoolreview.com › academy-at-trails...



Academy At Trails Carolina in Hendersonville, North Carolina serves 13 students in grades 9-12. View their 2024 profile to find tuition cost, ...

 

[Stunned]

Maybe the big money belongs to the land owner whose land taxes may be some of the largest in the county and the out-of-state money he brings in fuels the local economy?

I'm pretty sure tourism fuels the economy. Transylvania County is home to 1000 waterfalls, Pisgah Forest, Dupont Forest. Easy access to the Blue Ridge Parrkway. Brevard is a beautiful artsy kind of small town. You have Brevard College. Ashville and Hendersonville are nearby cities. There are many summer camps in the area, I wouldn't even begin to guess the amount. But I seriously doubt the area is dependent on that camp.

 

[RickshawFan]

Is this where they scooted the kids away to before LE/Fire arrived.
I'm curious if the boys who were in the cabin with the deceased boy were the only ones that were taken to their other location?
Transported before they called 911?

Academy At Trails Carolina (2024 Profile)​

View attachment 483766
Private School Review
https://www.privateschoolreview.com › academy-at-trails...



Academy At Trails Carolina in Hendersonville, North Carolina serves 13 students in grades 9-12. View their 2024 profile to find tuition cost, ...

I understood ALL the kids were taken to Pisgah Forest.

They only have 13 students at that "academy"? I'll bet that's just a classroom at one of their camps.

 

[MsMarple]

I don't think she's the owner anymore. I looked at the most recent annual report filed with the NC Sec of State, and the owner appears to be a company called Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC out of Salem OR.

But it appears there's a whole bunch of interlocking companies. So far, I've found Trails Momentum, Family Help & Wellness and The Springs Living (note that they all share the same basic web design). I'm sure there are others as well. As to who the owner is, I can't say. I'd need to dig through a bunch of filings to get to the bottom of it. But I'd bet it's some private equity firm.

And here's the PDF of their annual report:
View attachment 483765

So more smoke and mirrors. Did they think a person’s name versus an LLC looks better on the website?

 

[Rolypolyoly]

All the smoke and mirrors from camp staff and the founder plus testimony from members here who experienced horrible treatment at other similar programs make me want to see a complete timeline of the boy’s death. Including the days before. And a complete account.

Was he ever seen by the consulting doctor prior to being placed in an inescapable bivy and laid on a wood floor? Was he on any medications? Was he given any medication that day/night? If so was it his own or prescribed by the camp consulting doctor - by phone or in person? Was he prone to panic attacks?

In other words did any medical professional evaluate the boy? I suppose we’ll hear more eventually. At least I hope do.

And to add… IMO a lawsuit is on the horizon. I hope the business doesn’t file for bankruptcy or pull shenanigans in order to escape ownership of their part in the boy’s death.
All MOO

All this, and I also would like to know why he was sent there? Was he classed as some kind of raging delinquent? Was he behaviourally out of control? Did he have any disorders? Was he neurodivergent?

Their website had PDA as one of the things they 'treat', a child with this profile who is not parented in a low demand household with understanding and as much autonomy as possible can present as out if control, violent even be compared to a narcissistic or a psychopath, both things they absolutely are not, and even some kids who do have the low demand homes and the understanding can still present this way due to the nervous system being in continuous fight or flight mode, they are hypervigilant and everything is perceived as a threat and they have little control over their meltdowns, a place like this is absolutely the worst place in the world to send a child with PDA, and this is just one example that I am using because I live it everyday and am speaking from experience.

I wouldn't entertain the idea of sending my child to a place like this. I will day thought that I am in the UK and PDA is more widely recognised and researched here than it is in the US presently, and parents may not know that this is what their child has yet

 

[Izzylizzy]

I don't think she's the owner anymore. I looked at the most recent annual report filed with the NC Sec of State, and the owner appears to be a company called Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC out of Salem OR.

But it appears there's a whole bunch of interlocking companies. So far, I've found Trails Momentum, Family Help & Wellness and The Springs Living (note that they all share the same basic web design). I'm sure there are others as well. As to who the owner is, I can't say. I'd need to dig through a bunch of filings to get to the bottom of it. But I'd bet it's some private equity firm.

And here's the PDF of their annual report:
View attachment 483765

Thank you!

"Registering and operating as an LLC will provide business owners legal protection for personal assets, credibility and a long list of other advantages usually …
1 year ago"
What Is An LLC? Definition, Pros & Cons – Forbes Advisor
Forbes

Trails Carolina CEO And Leadership: Executives and Demographics

Trails Carolina CEO And Executives - Learn more about Trails Carolina CEO and key people by exploring the management team.

www.zippia.com

 

[Simply Southern]

I don't think she's the owner anymore. I looked at the most recent annual report filed with the NC Sec of State, and the owner appears to be a company called Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC out of Salem OR.

But it appears there's a whole bunch of interlocking companies. So far, I've found Trails Momentum, Family Help & Wellness and The Springs Living (note that they all share the same basic web design). I'm sure there are others as well. As to who the owner is, I can't say. I'd need to dig through a bunch of filings to get to the bottom of it. But I'd bet it's some private equity firm.

And here's the PDF of their annual report:

I don't think she's the owner anymore. I looked at the most recent annual report filed with the NC Sec of State, and the owner appears to be a company called Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC out of Salem OR.

But it appears there's a whole bunch of interlocking companies. So far, I've found Trails Momentum, Family Help & Wellness and The Springs Living (note that they all share the same basic web design). I'm sure there are others as well. As to who the owner is, I can't say. I'd need to dig through a bunch of filings to get to the bottom of it. But I'd bet it's some private equity firm.

And here's the PDF of their annual report:
View attachment 483765

View attachment 483765

The search warrant has the property owner and I pulled the record. The land is owned by a separate entity, similar name. They probably rent the facility to their sister company, the management of the camp A little over 30 acres, ruffly 4k, yearly property tax.

Trails NC Holdings LLC
North Salt Lake , UT


Tax Record Transylvania County, NC

​

Property Information Search Results​

To view summary data, click on a row. To view the Property Record Card click on PRC within the appropriate row.

Owner Name	Property Address	Land	Parcel Number	Tax Year	PRC

Trails NC Holdings LLC Etal		2.54 AC	8514766162000	2024	PRC
Trails NC Holdings LLC Etal		3.27 AC	8524042973000	2024	PRC
Trails NC Holdings LLC Etal		26.46 AC	8514851922000	2024	PRC

Basic Search

tax.transylvaniacounty.org

 

[Officer Dibble]

Just my opinion and not specifically aimed at this particular camp…

I did a deep dive into these so-called thearapy “boot camps” back around 2015 and was horrified at what I learned. I know some changes have been implemented since then to better protect the teens but even more changes are needed IMo.

One problem back then was staffing the camps with untrained, unaccredited counselors. And when a death or numerous assaults were reported it was common for the camp to shut down and open right back up under a new name.

Hopefully there’s more oversight nowadays compared to the past; this is a huge money-making industry and it’s not a surprise that nefarious entrepreneurs are eager to get in on the profits.

Parents have a right to feel comfortable enrolling their child in a program they believe will help them adjust into society. But I agree it should be a family therapy environment with complete transparency. Was this camp transparent? I guess we’ll find out eventually once the investigation into the boy’s death is completed.

To be clear, I’m not knocking all camps and I don’t yet have enough information to judge this one. But I’ll for sure be following this case closely!

All MOO

‘Every single night I have nightmares of that place’ – Buckhannon woman shares her experience with the ‘troubled teen industry’

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – In 2010, Buckhannon resident Hayley Hedrick was getting ready to be a mother. She said it was reflecting on her own childhood and deciding how she will raise her children …

www.wboy.com

CAS student shares personal experience with ‘troubled teen’ industry

One afternoon, Josh Prinzo was escorted onto a bus and taken to a wilderness camp with no prospect of returning home for seven months. The BU senior became one of hundreds of teenagers forced into a behavioral facility for rebellious teenagers.

dailyfreepress.com

I'm not from the States and I've never heard of these behavioral camps. It all sounds horrific and barbaric to me. Just my opinion. May the child RIP.

 

[Izzylizzy]

All this, and I also would like to know why he was sent there? Was he classed as some kind of raging delinquent? Was he behaviourally out of control? Did he have any disorders? Was he neurodivergent?

Their website had PDA as one of the things they 'treat', a child with this profile who is not parented in a low demand household with understanding and as much autonomy as possible can present as out if control, violent even be compared to a narcissistic or a psychopath, both things they absolutely are not, and even some kids who do have the low demand homes and the understanding can still present this way due to the nervous system being in continuous fight or flight mode, they are hypervigilant and everything is perceived as a threat and they have little control over their meltdowns, a place like this is absolutely the worst place in the world to send a child with PDA, and this is just one example that I am using because I live it everyday and am speaking from experience.

I wouldn't entertain the idea of sending my child to a place like this. I will day thought that I am in the UK and PDA is more widely recognised and researched here than it is in the US presently, and parents may not know that this is what their child has yet

I had to look up PDA..thank you.
The camp's website covers all the bases for desperate parents.
Imagine all these kids, each with their own defined special needs all thrown in with each other?
<modsnip: Opinion stated as fact>

I wonder if the 14 kids at their boarding school had to leave too?
IIrc: The search/seize warrant included that peoperty.