She is one the earliest deaths which I have found records of where a wilderness program was involved. The purpose was to built character but instead it was at built-up to a tragedy.
They were caught unprepared in a storm and among the young people who did not make it out of the wilderness was Lorene Larhette.
She was 17 years of age when she died. She could have been a mother, maybe even grandmother today with a large family around her. It was never allowed to happen.
Due to the 39 years which have gone since the tragedy, we have no knowledge of the circumstances leding up to her participation in the course.
Was she a troubled teenager who was forced to attend?
Was she seeking adventure and trying to explore her own limits?
References:
Victims in 1970s (Fornits Home for Wayward Web Fora Wiki)
Survival test ends in tragedy (Rome News Courier, September 8, 1971)
Such a tragedy, so sad she was just the first of many, many more in America's sadistic child abuse wilderness program industry.
ReplyDeleteMy Daughter Lorene Swan LaRhette was not forced to Outward Bound.It was a thing in NewEngland.She was an honor student, a near perfect daughter, called by her father Richard LaRhette his Lead kid!Her biologic father raced Harley Davidsons and skiied very well...Outward Bound was something that help deal with feals, become stronger.Today is her Birthday. More than 700 attended her Memorial service and a fund was set up to provide travel experiences for Sudbury Unitarian Universalist Members.The Trial for Wrongful Death was called a mistrial.We can never take Love for granted and hope for Loving others will make a difference for somebody.
ReplyDeleteIt is properly correct. In the 1970's there was mostly only voluntary programs but the safety procedures were not developed. They had no radios so they could call in help and not the equipment , so they could state their own whereabouts good enough to be found in time.
ReplyDeleteIn the 1980's some of the men running the wilderness courses found out that there were a lot of money in forcing children into the wilderness and market it as a cure for anything. A lot of children died.
I am sorry for your loss. Sadly it was not the last death in a wilderness program - voluntary or forced.
Lorene was a wonderful child , in every way.Loved by her teachers ,friends and family.Honor role student. Outward Bound seemed like a good way to strengthen the ability to meet challenges , especially for women and was a popular program at the time.
ReplyDelete