North Carolina officials announced the decision to revoke the license of Trails Carolina, a wilderness camp for troubled adolescents, following the death of a 12-year-old boy in February. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services cited several state regulations that the camp had failed to comply with, including medication requirements and protecting clients from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Trails Carolina was given 60 days to respond to the revocation and 10 days to provide a written statement explaining their compliance with the rules. Despite providing a plan to address the violations, the department decided to uphold its findings against the camp.
Trails Carolina, upon being notified of the violations in March, expressed surprise and disappointment at the state’s intent to revoke its license. The details of the violations that led to the $18,000 fine have not been disclosed by the department. The 12-year-old boy who died at the camp was found unresponsive less than 24 hours after his arrival, and the cause of death is still under investigation by the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office. Admissions at the camp were suspended, and the 18 children present at the time of the boy’s death were removed. This was not the first death at Trails Carolina, as a 17-year-old boy died in 2014 after leaving the camp and succumbing to hypothermia in a nearby stream.
Trails Carolina, a for-profit camp that advertises itself as providing adventure therapy for children and teenagers with mental health and behavioral issues, had previously been cited for various violations over the past 12 years. These included improper strip searches, medication management, communication with parents, and staff training on restraints. In response to previous inspection reports, the camp claimed to have implemented training programs for employees to address these issues. However, former camp attendees have reported negative experiences, citing feelings of fear and shame as a result of their time at Trails Carolina.
The camp has the right to appeal the revocation of its license, but it is not clear if Trails Carolina intends to do so. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has taken a firm stance against the camp, despite its efforts to address the violations. The safety and well-being of the children in their care are of utmost concern, particularly in light of the recent tragic events. It remains to be seen what steps Trails Carolina will take next in response to the license revocation and the ongoing investigations into the boy’s death. The closure of the camp will leave many families seeking alternative options for the treatment of their troubled adolescents.
