This place saved my life. Was it hard? Yes. The staff there care so much about us. I feel very bad for the experiences that other people describe, but there are two sides to stories and different perspectives. I never felt uncared for or neglected by any means. Yes, they did take our shoes and we did have to call our names. It was for our safety and supervision. We always had at least thick wool socks in the summer and down booties in the winter that were never taken away (unless our booties got wet and staff would hike them to the fire to dry and warm them in the middle of the night).
Like RB said, take your time and do the research. When my parents were looking at this place, they actually got to talk to former students. Staff always said, wilderness is not for everyone and that is ok. We were NEVER forced to do anything. Just like no one is forced into drugs or prostitution. These are choices, sad ones. It is sad that it did't help these couple people like it did for me, but I know it saved my life and the lives of the other girls in my group all who I have stayed in touch with. Thank you Second Nature.