Trails Carolina, a wilderness camp for troubled adolescents located in North Carolina, is facing the revocation of its license following the death of a 12-year-old boy in February. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services cited the camp’s failure to comply with state regulations, including medication requirements and protecting clients from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The camp has been given 60 days to shut down its operations, although it has the right to file a petition to appeal the decision.
In March, the camp was notified of violations, including failure to protect clients from abuse, and was given 10 days to provide a written statement explaining its compliance with the rules. Despite providing a proposed plan to address the violations in April, the department decided to uphold its findings against the camp and revoke its license. The cause of the boy’s death, identified only by his initials as C.J.H., has not yet been determined, and a criminal investigation is ongoing. The camp was forced to remove all children attending at the time of the boy’s death and suspend admissions.
Trails Carolina has faced scrutiny in the past, with a previous death occurring in 2014 when a 17-year-old boy named Alec Lansing died after leaving the camp and succumbing to hypothermia. The camp made adjustments to its protocols following that incident, but inspection reports have revealed numerous violations over the years related to strip searches, medication management, and staff training on restraints. Despite these issues, the camp has stated its commitment to providing quality mental healthcare services to its students and families.
Several individuals who attended Trails Carolina from 2013 to 2022 have come forward with accounts of fear and shame resulting from their experiences at the camp. While the camp has defended its approach, it has declined to comment on specific children’s experiences. The Department of Health and Human Services has not provided detailed information on the violations found, which were accompanied by an $18,000 fine. The outcome of the decision to revoke the camp’s license has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of adolescents in similar facilities.
