Bluefire Wilderness therapy program in Idaho has a history of abuse allegations. Is the program safe for children and teens? Here’s what parents need to know.
What is blueFire?
blueFire is an Idaho-based wilderness therapy program.
In a wilderness therapy program, children and teens spend time outdoors in the wilderness, often with a focus on survival skills. At blueFire, these children and teens meet with a therapist weekly to work on the mental health challenges they may be struggling with.
From the blueFire website:
“blueFire Wilderness is an outdoor therapy program for youth ages 11-28. blueFire combines clinical expertise, wilderness, and adventure therapy in our clinician-owned program, providing an approach to treatment which produces long-lasting, internalized change.”
bluefire website
What allegations are against blueFire?
Currently, there are no legal allegations formally against blueFire. They are also accredited by a number of health organizations.
In recent years, a number of allegations came from students who used to go to this program.
This is not unusual for many mental health programs, especially wilderness programs. Sometimes these claims are overblown by children or teens who may have disliked their time there.
However, there is also a fair possibility that some claims are true. Abuse situations may come from specific staff who worked in the program at the time.
Wilderness therapy programs as a whole have been under scrutiny. There is a lack of oversight into many of these programs, and the amount of requirements for opening such a facility can vary by state.
It is important for parents and caregivers to look carefully into each program to ensure that they will properly suit their child’s needs.
Is blueFire safe now?
Many of the allegations raised against blueFire appear to have been from a few years ago, mainly 2020 and 2021. Current employee job descriptions show the requirement for workers to be trained and licensed for multiple medical emergencies.
bluefire response
We contacted bluefire on July 5, 2023 and asked for their response to allegations of abuse. As of the time of publication, we have not received a response.
More Resources
Unsilenced – Information about bluefire – a survivor-led non-profit organization that serves young people and adults who experienced institutional child abuse.
USA Today – Concerns about wilderness therapy for troubled teens – article
Reddit thread – conversation about bluefire allegations
bluefire website – program website
Click here for a free PDF printable checklist of the 7 steps to take when your child needs residential treatment.
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