Forest Heights Lodge sits atop Forest Hill in Evergreen, Colorado. The setting is dominated by towering ponderosa pines, a spectacular view of Mount Evans and carpets of wildflowers in the summer. The residence itself is a large, homey, mountain lodge that immediately pleases the visitor's eye. Our school and administration buildings are arranged pleasantly about and appear to be more residential than institutional. Around the perimeter of the property are several staff houses. The setting is not quite rural, but is far from urban. We believe that the relaxed environment is an integral part of our milieu therapy.

The community itself shapes the milieu. Forest Heights Lodge is an old-timer in Evergreen, dating back to when Main Street was the only paved street and everyone in the village knew just about everyone else. Evergreen has grown enormously, but it retains many small town qualities and has always been a good neighbor to the Lodge and the boys. When consistent with their treatment program, boys may shop in town with their allowances, swim at the recreation center and fish in Evergreen Lake. They feel very much a part of the community.

At Forest Heights Lodge, home is "the Lodge" where all 24 boys live together. The living room is open, light, rustic, focused on the big, rock fireplace. Having all the boys under one roof adds immeasurably to the sense of family. The team concept of the Lodge is a 24-hour reality. Teachers work closely with child care staff throughout the entire day. In the morning before school, residential and educational staff and boys meet in the living room to discuss the coming day.

In order to change, the disturbed child must learn that he can feel safe, that life can be gratifying and fun and that he can live with others and enjoy it. He must know that change brings rewards. He must learn how to take responsibility for what happens in his life and for his behaviors.

Forest Heights Lodge's milieu is designed to achieve this end. We believe that the boys' severe problems cannot be addressed unless they can form close and trusting relationships, which can support their taking the risk to change. The structure of the milieu must feel safe and nurturing enough for the child to form such relationships. The heart of treatment here lies in interactions, one-on-one, between child and staff.

Our treatment is successful because we have a skilled, experienced, well-trained child care staff. Morale is high and turnover is low; the same staff are likely to live with a boy during his entire treatment here, giving him every opportunity to learn to make the intense personal relationships necessary if he is to get on with his life successfully. Our staffing pattern, teams working together in 2-day shifts, is designed to provide for those opportunities. The responsibilities of professional, school and administrative staff are all organized to enhance the intensity of relationships that are developed within the milieu. Child psychiatrists, psychologists and clinical social workers work with child care staff to translate the child's psychological needs into day-to-day interactions, as well as providing individual and group psychotherapy.

Living is made as uncomplicated as possible, with as few rules as are prudent. The only universal rules at the Lodge are: First, "You may not hurt another child, and another child may not hurt you." The second rule is that the adults must know where the child is at all times. This simply means understanding that help cannot be given if adults do not know where the child is. Finally, the children are not allowed out of the yard without permission. Children feel safer with boundaries. Additional expectations are designed specifically to meet the needs of individual children. The true heart of treatment is interaction between the child and staff in a caring, non-institutional way.

Camping and other outdoor activities are part of life and therapy. We have a basketball court, open space for games and a covered patio for bad weather days. In the winter the boys ski weekly and go sledding and ice skating frequently. Each summer a number of camping and backpacking trips are planned. Organized games, in season, are a regular part of each day's activities, leading to development of physical skills and sportsmanship.

Chores are a therapeutic experience too, and part of sharing a home. The boys help keep the grounds picked up and have regular rotation of assignments for setting tables and after-meal cleanup.

Since the Lodge is near Denver, the advantages that a major city offers are less than an hour away. Movies, sports and cultural events, zoo, roller skating, climbing wall and shopping expeditions are within easy reach. And everybody appreciates the pleasure of returning home to the mountains.

Altogether, we shape an environment that is warm, caring and inviting, "Life is good, come join us." We believe this is essential to successful treatment.