The Associated Press
August 5, 2005
ATLANTA - The accreditation of a state camp for troubled youths is under review after the death of 13-year-old boy there. Travis Parker died April 21, one day after being held face down for more than an hour by counselors at the camp in White County. Richard Klarberg, president of the New York-based Council on Accreditation, says the council has several concerns about the incident. The council is reviewing state reports on Parker's death. Meanwhile, six camp counselors have been charged with murder. The council may send staffers to visit the Appalachian Wilderness Camp to find out what happened and what the camp is doing to prevent similar incidents. Klarberg says the council is particularly concerned about the restraint used on a boy who had asthma and about the training of the counselors. The council cannot shut down the camp. But losing accreditation could hurt its standing and dissuade people and agencies from sending children there. Also, officials says Georgia requires the wilderness camp to be accredited. |
