Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of this challenge program and what can parents expect?

This is an early intervention.

Our challenge course is designed for all children ages 10 to 17.  We provide a curriculum for a balanced physical and emotional challenge. We take kids farther in their abilities than they may be accustomed, incorporating the experience into family life, spiritual, and emotional growth.  With an excellent, time tested curriculum balanced with experienced well trained staff, students will have an environment of powerful, impactful growth that will last not only through these young years but into adulthood as well.

What we do:  experiential learning with seasoned coaches.  The use of team based strategies, physical obstacles and concentration oriented objectives.  Activities like the Spider Web, 12 foot wall, 40 foot climbing wall and the Ambush; safely emphasized and supervised by staff. Afterwards an in-depth discovery of what took place, pulled from the students themselves, guided by the coaches and then related to home, family, friends and future forks on the road of life.

How we measure growth:   our coaches spend an intense amount of time with our students, developing a relationship of trust and respect.  At the end of our course our coaches meet with each student team member and evaluate them in several areas.  Each student, to graduate the challenge camp must receive a score of 6 out of ten.  This score is based on effort, attitude and cooperation.  If a student does not receive a 6 or higher, he is invited back at later time.

Our expected outcome:  our students will gain a new found confidence in their own abilities to meet goals, overcome challenges, strategize and function as a team.  When faced with challenges at home they will be able to look back on the challenges they over come with us and move forward with enthusiasm.  Students will gain a perspective on authority that it is not as adversarial as they might of once thought and have a renewed vision of our roles as parents and mentors.  Our students will walk away (affectionately sore) from the challenge camp with a heighted sense of mental, emotional and spiritual awareness.

Staff ratio and Schedule:

We will have groups of 10 students with three staff per group taking them through the course challenges throughout their stay.  They will start at Friday 4pm and return to their family Sunday 5pm.

Cost of program:

• 2399.99
• This includes the three day camp and Monday-Tuesday parent child conference.

Schedule:

• Feb 1-5 and 22-26, students at camp first three days
• The schedule from then on will be the first and third weekend of each month.

Challenge camp starts: every Friday 4pm

• Arrival time: 3pm at designated site (most likely the Kanab express hotel). 
• Ending time is Tuesday at noon.

Parent portion:

• Friday will be enrollment, orientation, student departure to camp and parent brief on schedule and participation expectations, also question and answer period.
• Sunday night is graduation from challenge camp and enters into family restoration. 
• Monday they will go through the parent/child course through Tuesday  morning

What characteristics can we expect to enroll?

• When placing students for north rim academy, one main characteristic is no,
  absolutely no, history of violence.  That means the perspective child shouldn’t have a history of hitting siblings, parents or teachers at school.  I’m not so worried about the scuff.  The concern is violent behavior towards close family members (real physical violence) and with authority figures.
• Children of any size, age (10-17), chemical dependency and medication is okay

If a child does not graduate the camp and they have to return to do it again, do the parents have to pay again?

• We will offer a “within 90 day” return.  Transportation will be the parent’s expense only.

What type of restraint will be used if any with the campers?

• CPI training, the Executive Director and Program Director, Robert and Brian, are instructors of Crisis Prevention Institute “Non Harmful Physical restraint Intervention” only as a last resort and if a child is in danger of themselves or others.

What do we do if a camper just flat refuses to comply??

• There will be some student who will refuse.  Fortunately students won’t know each other, they will be so busy. Our job will be one of coaching which inherently inspires.  Worst case senior the child will be returned to parents.

What is the protocol if a camper runs?

• Pick him up and return him, if he flat refuses he will be taken back to parents. 

What type of facility will the campers be housed in?

• A lodge with beds, bathroom, kitchen, showers etc.  see attached pic

What about campers with food allergies?

• We will accommodate students medical needs

What is the protocol for a camper that refuses to eat?

• Coaching, if there is a complete refusal the child will be returned to his parents.

What type of medical treatment will be on location in the event of a camper getting sick or hurt?

• All staff is CPR, CPI, first aid certified.  Each team will have a first aid kit on hand 24 7.  We will have radio, cell phone and intranet service.  We will vehicles to transport as needed.

How far is the camp from a hospital?   Ten miles

What is the maximum number of campers for each weekend?

• 10 per unit up to two units right now per weekend.

What ages will we be enrolling?  10- 17
 
If a child is on meds, do we need a doctor’s authorization/release for them to do participate in the challenge camp? Yes

What does my child need to bring?    See our "what to bring" on the application form.

Will my child be safe?

• Safety is our first and constant priority, emotional, mental and physical safety of our student and staff. 
• Staff will have first aid kits on them at all times.

Who do I contact in case of an emergency?

• Robert Nording 435 899-9408 and or
• Brian Hogie 714 367-3961           

Emergency facility nearby?

• We are 10 miles from the nearest hospital, all staff is first aid and CPR trained certified, there will also be radio, phone, internet communications as well as vehicle support. 
• Staff will have first aid kits on them at all times.

Staff training?   All staff is certified first aid, CPR and High/ low ropes course instruction certified.

Student money?    Student will not need any form of money. 

Will I be able to talk to my child during while he is there?

• The course will only be three days and two nights.
• There is not any time in the camp schedule for communications with parents.

How will medication be handled?

• All medication will be distributed according to prescription.  
• Meds will be carried on the staff at all times along with first aid kits.

What if there is an accident or injury?

• Students need’s will be priority, parents notified and facts documented.

What types of things will my child learn?

• Discipline, teamwork, wise sayings, tie knots, value of parents, safety etc.

In what type of activities will my child be participating?

• Some examples are initiatives such as climbing a 12 foot wall, going through the spider web, ambush course, trust fall and various other team building activities as well as carefully planned group participation based learning discussions.

What type of meals will be served?  Catered

Will my child receive therapy?

• Professionally, no. 
• There will be opportunities for parents and or guardians to explore therapy as options for their family later in the parent child sessions.

What approach does your program utilize in dealing with students?

• We have a Coach, Drill instructor and a support staff that focuses on team work, team building and personal effort strategies within the group dynamics. 
• We will encourage positive peer interactions.

How do I get my child to the program?

• We will have a transport company available if desired,
• Parents and or guardians are encouraged to bring their child to the program's designated site.

What type of accommodations or lodging is there?  Students will be staying in a lodge on cots. 

How many students are in the program? 

• We try and keep our individual groups under 10 and
• No more than two groups at a time.

Will my child be required to participate in all activities?   Yes, to their best ability.

Will my child wear a uniform?  

• No, however they will be awarded a North Rim Leadership Academy shirt upon graduation.