This is a  staff list for Elements Wilderness Program in Huntington, UT

(we are working to acquire the complete records for ALL years)

 

We advise current and/or former staff to report any abuses you may have witnessed while working at Elements Wilderness Program.  For information on your rights and how to take action, visit www.heal-online.org/blowthewhistle.htm.  If you were fired or forced to resign because you opposed any illegal and/or unethical practices at Elements Wilderness Program, you have the right to take action. 

 

If you were harmed (family or survivor) by Elements Wilderness Program, please contact [email protected] if you remember the long-term employees and from which years.  This will help!   Also, if you recognize any of these staff as having worked at another program, please send in any information about their past or present employment at other facilities and/or cults.

 

 

Please don’t place your loved one in Elements Wilderness Program and rescue them if they are there now.

 

Name

Unit/Position

 Additional Information
John Karren Admissions Director John Karren is not a licensed mental health nor social work professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Lynn Smith Clinical Director Smith formerly worked at a number of unnamed/unidentified facilities.  He also worked for confirmedly abusive Aspen Achievement Academy.  There are multiple Lynn Smith's licensed under various categories in Utah.  The only Lynn Smith that is a licensed clinical social worker is Lynn Arthur Smith and he has only been licensed since May, 2008.  This may not be the same person as listed here as clinical director.  Even if it is the same person, he is not a licensed psychologist, therapist, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Jennifer Rapp Therapist Formerly worked for confirmedly abusive Stone Mountain School (another Aspen Education Group program), Second Nature Wilderness, and Gateway Academy.  Rapp received her degree from the fraudulent University of Phoenix.  Jennifer Taylor Rapp is a licensed professional counselor and she has only been licensed since June 28th, 2011.  Rapp has been acting as a "therapist" at this program since at least 2010.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html

"The Justice Department announced today that the University of Phoenix has agreed to pay the United States $67.5 million to resolve allegations that its student recruitment policies violated the False Claims Act.  This case began as a whistleblower action filed in the Eastern District of California under the False Claims Act, which permits private citizens to bring lawsuits for fraud on behalf of the United States and to share in any recovery. Whistleblowers Mary Hendow and Julie Behn, two former University of Phoenix employees, alleged that the university accepted federal student financial aid while in violation of statutory and regulatory provisions prohibiting post-secondary schools from paying admissions counselors certain forms of incentive-based compensation tied to the number of students recruited. Though the United States did not intervene in this action, the Government provided support and assistance to the whistleblowers at many stages of the case, including filing friend-of-the-court briefs when the case was on appeal to the Ninth Circuit. The two whistleblowers will receive $19 million from the settlement."

The University of Phoenix does not have the specialized accreditation necessary for degrees in psychology.  (Source: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx)   It is accredited for teaching and nursing degrees.
Tara Feeney-Stireman Therapist Feeney formerly worked for Second Nature Wilderness, Americorps, Vista Adolescent Treatment Center, and Copper Hills Youth Center.  Feeney is a licensed clinical social worker.  She is not a licensed therapist, counselor, nor psychologist.  She has only been licensed since March 28th, 2011 and has been working under the title "therapist" at this program since at least 2010.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Karen Hesselman (Scrafford) Program Director Hesselman formerly worked for Second Nature Wilderness in Duchesne, UT.  There is no additional information on staff for this facility at this time.*  Hesselman holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Todd Merrill Field Director Merrill formerly worked for Second Nature (UT, GA, OR), Dragonfly Transitions (OR), Landmark Learning (NC), Three Rivers (CLOSED) Montana (MT), SOLO Wilderness Medicine (Southeast), and Aspiro Adventures (UT).  Merrill holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
John Elliott Shift Lead John Elliott holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Josh Chrisman Shift Lead Chrisman holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Cory Coppersmith Group Lead Coppersmith holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Lauren DouBrava Group Lead DouBrava holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Neal Christensen Therapist Neal Eric Christensen (may be a different person) is a licensed psychologist in Salt Lake City, UT and has been since 2009.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Robert Rossi Therapist Robert Thomas Rossi (may be a different person) is licensed solely as a certified social worker in Salt Lake City, UT and has only been licensed since 2013.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Kevin Powell Therapist HEAL requires Powell's full name (including middle name) and/or license type and number in order to verify whether or not Powell holds any professional licenses in Utah.
Laura Baumgart Therapist Baumgart holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Mike Sheffield Consulting Psychologist
Name: MICHAEL SHEFFIELD
City, State, Zip, Country: SALT LAKE CITY, UT 841063414, UNITED STATES
Profession: PSYCHOLOGIST
License Type: PSYCHOLOGIST
License Number: 363492-2501
Obtained By: UNKNOWN
License Status: ACTIVE
Original Issue Date: 01/12/1999
Expiration Date: 09/30/2016
Agency and Disciplinary Action*: NONE
Docket Number: N/A

Education:

School Name Major Graduation Date Degree
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY PSYCHOLOGY 1997-04-30 DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Lowell Morris Medical Director Lowell Gardener Morris (may be a different person) IS NOT A DOCTOR AND NOT EVEN A NURSE!  Lowell Gardener Morris is licensed solely as a physician's assistant in UT and has been licensed as such since 2003.  His supposed supervisors, Richard John Donaldson and Cameron S. Williams don't even work at Elements!  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html

It is very possible Morris is in violation of Utah laws since his supervisors do not work for Elements and Elements, as his current employer, needs to have a proper medical doctor suprvising Morris for it to be legitimate.  There is something wrong with this picture.  Source: http://www.dopl.utah.gov/licensing/forms/applications/078_physician_assistant.pdf
Philip Bryan Field Director Bryan holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Brienne Stekly Field Director Stekly holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Alexander Martinez Field Director Martinez holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Dagney Strossner Family Service Coordinator Strossner holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Keith Madia Adventure Programming Specialist Madia holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Eliot S. Family Service Support HEAL requires at least the first and last name of any staff in order to do a professional licensure check.
Lisa Marinucci Advanced Lead Marinucci holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Evan S. Advanced Lead HEAL requires at least the first and last name of any staff in order to do a professional licensure check.
Joey K. Group Lead HEAL requires at least the first and last name of any staff in order to do a professional licensure check.
Dan U. Group Lead HEAL requires at least the first and last name of any staff in order to do a professional licensure check.
Chad Hunter Group Lead Hunter holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Michael W. Advance Lead HEAL requires at least the first and last name of any staff in order to do a professional licensure check.
Jordan Humphrey Asst. Group Lead Humphrey holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Nate B. Advanced Lead HEAL requires at least the first and last name of any staff in order to do a professional licensure check.
Carly Mentink Group Lead Mentink holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Bill Windburgh Group Lead Windburgh holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Lauren Reed Asst. Group Lead Reed holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Thomas A. Advance Lead HEAL requires at least the first and last name of any staff in order to do a professional licensure check.
Carolyn Spencer Group Lead Spencer holds no active (as of check on September 15th, 2015) professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Amanda Forbes Asst. Group Lead Forbes holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Ben Oberhand Asst. Group Lead Oberhand holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Kally Bowser Asst. Group Lead Bowser holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Ben Magnus Asst. Group Lead Magnus holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Ryan Bromberek Asst. Group Lead Bromberek holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Kacie Klem Asst. Group Lead Klem holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Henley P. Asst. Group Lead HEAL requires at least the first and last name of any staff in order to do a professional licensure check.
Hannah M. Asst. Group Lead HEAL requires at least the first and last name of any staff in order to do a professional licensure check.
Lila F. Asst. Group Lead HEAL requires at least the first and last name of any staff in order to do a professional licensure check.
Andrew Powell Executive Director Powell holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Nathaniel Aaron Moore Staff Moore holds no professional licenses in Utah and is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, social worker, nor counselor.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
     
Elements Wilderness Program uses the same Positive Control System methods as Eagle Ranch Academy and WWASPS.
"This place was not beneficial. The therapists are overly cruel that work with the children. They are also extremely manipulative and it seemed like they were only in it for the $$$. During a visit, I observed how hungry the boys are...constantly they are hungry because there isnt a single time where they are "full" or satisfied from a meal. The field mentors are really great with the kids however seeing as they are in their early 20's and close in age. The kids themselves are the ones that realize the change that must be initiated; the therapists are just there to criticize there every move it seems..and after some research the Head Therapist at Elements came from another wilderness program that was shutdown by the state government because of child abuse...YES child abuse! I strongly advise anyone interested in Elements to find a different program as I was extremely disappointed in this program."  Source:  http://www.campratingz.com/reviews/7546/Summer-Camp-Element-Wilderness.html
"Missing boy from wilderness program found on desert Emery County News, October 28, 2014 The Emery County Sheriff's Office and search and rescue located a runaway male juvenile missing from the Cedar Mountain Area. He is 17 years old, approximately 135 pounds with brown hair and eyes. He was last seen on Friday night. He was not fully clothed wearing socks, leggings, and a green wool sweater. Emery County Sheriff Greg Funk said, "The Sheriff's Office was contacted on Saturday morning and we began the search. We combed the Cedar Mountain area. We finally located the boy, he was hiding. His intent he said was to go to California. We had the UHP helicopter and Eagle Air med flying the area searching for the boy. We also did a ground search and tracked the boy for a mile when we lost him in the rocks. The boy was on the move when he ran into the Elements staff. He was enrolled in the Elements Wilderness program. One of the things they do is take the shoes and pants from the participants. They are out here for two months in the program. This boy was from back east and didn't want to be here. He was combative when he was located. The deputies got the boy under control and he was returned to the program. "This situation is alarming. We go on two to three searches a year for these kids. The frequency of the searches has me worried. I worry for the safety of these teenagers. I also worry they might get into our communities and steal a vehicle from one of our residents. I am talking to them about using more advanced forms of technology for keeping their participants in place. "My biggest concern is that we might lose the life of one of these children. If they die from exposure to the harsh desert environment, that really concerns me. We are investigating better ways to handle these situations. The boy was in good condition and he spent two nights in hiding. He was stiff and sore but otherwise unharmed," said Sheriff Funk. --- The sheriff was right with his concern as we will show in a later post. Please consider what kind of technology which is useful. Even a GPS tracking device will not be of use because it would be the first thing the student will lose. The core of the program is the involuntary placement of the teenagers. The wilderness functions very badly as a prison. It has no boundaries; it can be dangerous regarding wildlife and terrain. If you were in this program at the time of the escape, we would like to hear from you. What took place and what made this young man run away?"  Source:  http://just-another-hike.blogspot.com/
 

 *(Elements Wilderness Program, like many other programs in this industry, keeps a "tight lid" on any specific information regarding their staff, qualifications, and practices.  Please contact us with the names of any staff of which you have firsthand knowledge or experience.  Thank you for your help.)

 Last Updated: September 23rd, 2015

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