NCJ Number
103060
Date Published
1985
Length
161 pages
Annotation
As a result of the death of 10 youths participating in Pennsylvania's VisionQuest program, a task force was established in 1984 to examine the policies and procedures of the program and make recommendations for improving its safety.
Abstract
A 5-month examination led to the conclusion that the benefits of this wilderness program exceed the potential risks involved, particularly in the Wagon Train and OceanQuest program components. Overall the safety-related policies and procedures of this program compare favorably with those utilized by other wilderness and outward bound programs. It is, however, suggested that involuntary commitment to the programs' high-risk components be limited to those youths not amenable to treatment in less tradition nonsecure programs. In addition, a number of steps can be taken to increase physical safety of participants. These include the development of a youth orientation program; careful screening, according to proposed guidelines, of program participants; psychological evaluation of participants in the Wagon Train and OceanQuest programs, standardization of routes used in these two programs; and the provision of environmental hazards training for youth. In addition, a safety officer should be appointed, staff should be required to meet minimum qualification criteria, and a staff orientation and training program should be developed and implemented. Finally, the task force will review the programs' monthly quality assurance reports, and an external safety review panel will regularly examine the programs' operations. Appendixes contain materials reviewed by the task force and supplements to its recommendations. Tables, figures, and 9 references.