A Letter to Parents

Although this is a difficult time, we want to take time to explain the process and services your child will be receiving. We know that you are entrusting us with your child, and we want to assure you that every possible measure has been taken to make your child’s visit with us safe, educational, and therapeutic. The following will explain what you and your child can expect while at Pinnacle.

Admission: Our admission day is Friday. If necessary, other days can be arranged. Our Admissions Director will work with you to select a day that will best accommodate you and your child.

Transportation for You and Your Child: You will need to determine if you can successfully transport your child to Pinnacle, or if it would be safer for a Teen Transport Service to transport your child. Our Admissions Director can recommend a reliable transport service. We are located in Richfield, about 150 miles south of the Salt Lake City airport.

Base Camp: Students will be transported to our Base Camp, and will remain there for the first 3 days. This time will be used to assess and prepare your child for their wilderness experience, as well as allow them to acclimate to the altitude. They will begin the curriculum that will introduce them to the "Circle of Courage,^TM" and spend time with our caring staff preparing new tools and learning new skills for the trail.

Equipment: Our staff will issue your child all the equipment that he/she will need for their stay at Pinnacle. Your child will bring their own clothing. A list of approved clothing is available in the admissions packet. Any items brought to Pinnacle that are not on the approved list, will be returned to parents/caregivers or stored at our office until your child is discharged.

Medical Care: While at Base Camp, your child’s physical and mental condition will be assessed. A complete medical examination will be performed by our physician, including urinalysis to determine if there has been recent drug or alcohol use. This will ensure that your child is capable of backpacking and hiking at 5,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level. It is important that all questions in the admission packet are answered in detail so all parties can make an informed evaluation. Any serious allergies or health limitations would need special consideration to ensure that our program will meet your child’s individual needs. Cuts and scratches are commonplace on the trail, so a tetanus booster within the past 5 years will be required. If there is a special circumstance or issue that we should be aware of, please inform us. We will make every effort to meet your child’s specific needs.

Parent/Child Communication: We ask that you write to your child a minimum of once weekly. You may fax or email your letters to our office. If a computer is unavailable, they can be sent by postal service. These letters will be assessed for progress, and distributed by our therapists or counselors in the field. Students really look forward to letters from home, and it provides an avenue of positive communication between parent and child. We also ask that you send pictures of your child with you and other family members participating in fun activities. Your child will send/receive mail each Friday, so please send your letters so they arrive by Monday evening.

Child and Parent Wilderness Experience: After spending 3 days at Base Camp, your child will enter a wilderness group. Your child will be visited by our therapists each week, who will follow up with a call to parents to discuss your child’s progress. During the weeks that your child is with Pinnacle, you will have time to ponder the new tools that you learn at the Parenting Workshop. You will work with our therapists to prepare for your child’s return back into the family. Because Pinnacle’s goal is to heal the family, you will have an opportunity to share the "Paths of Peace" with your child on a "Circle of Courage^TM" Trek. After arriving at our office at the designated day, we will transport you to the trail. You will be cared for by your child, and experience life on the trail. This is a special time for parent and child. It’s a time to leave the mistakes of the past behind, learn from the lessons of the present, and start anew.

Enrollment: Students are accepted on the condition that they will complete the entire program. Tuition covers all costs associated with the program excluding separate transportation for your child (if necessary) and yourself (parent workshop and 3-day field trek), the entrance physical, prescription medications and replacement of lost or damaged equipment or necessary personal items.

The $500 equipment fee covers the cost of trail equipment such as sleeping bags, cooking pot and stove, tarp, ground pad, etc.

We will arrange an admission date when the Admission Packet (can be downloaded from this website - pdf format) has been completed. Contact Debbie Hansen or Jennifer Bastian for an admission date and any travel information that will be required.

If you need additional information, or have questions, please contact us. A member of the Pinnacle Staff is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-888-896-5788 to assist you and your family in this life-changing decision.

Sincerely,


Debbie Hansen
Executive Director