East Haverhill Academy
(Pike, NH)
East Haverhill Academy is located at the base of
Iron Mountain and the Oliverian Valley Wildlife Preserve in East Haverhill, New Hampshire. It offers staff secure residential treatment services to
boys, ages 11-17, as well as a transitional treatment program for young men ages 17-20. East Haverhill
Academy seeks to provide an active milieu that emphasizes public service, adventure and healthy living. East Haverhill Academy specializes in difficult
to treat and hard to place adolescents who have had difficulties finding success in alternative environments, including other residential treatment
centers.
Highlights of the program include a dynamic counseling program that combines traditional individual and group therapy with a
dventure and activities based counseling approaches and wilderness therapy. Program activities include an annual trip to
the Florida Everglades, regular
canoe trips on the Connecticut River, hiking in the White and Green Mountains and
rock/ice climbing at the world famous Rumney Cliffs. Our campus features miles of cross country ski trails, downhill/x-country skiing,
a farm, organic gardens and a an active maple sugaring operation- all bordering the White Mountain National Forest.
Latest News at East Haverhill Academy
Florida Everglades Trip 09'
February, 2008, East Haverhill Academy
 After months of preparation, training, and anticipation, a select group of Becket students journeyed from northern New
Hampshire down the east coast of the US to the destination of 10,000 Islands in the sunny state of Florida.
The group endured 7 days of primitive camping, canoeing and exploring island to island with an up-close and personal account
with the Florida wildlife indigenous culture. Trip leader Charlie Haer and Program Administrator Mark Mitchell have made this excursion p
ossible through years of dedication and leadership experience. Sample their exciting adventure through our online photo
Gallery: Florida Everglades Trip 09'.
Florida Trip Students Prepare for Emergencies
February, 2008, East Haverhill Academy
 In preparation for the big "Florida Everglades Trip" students and faculty brushed up on their emergency readiness skills by taking an American Heart First Aid and CPR safety course.
While a little extra time was spent talking about how to handle snake bites (and which venomous snakes and spiders they hope/fear they will encounter in Florida), the group was very eager to learn about how to handle themselves when faced with life threatening situations. Luckily, the Florida group did not need to employ any of their training on their trip, but they are now confident and prepared to handle just about anything!
Wildcat Days are Here at EHA
November, 2008, East Haverhill Academy
 Last year's winter brought so much snow so everyone at East Haverhill Academy enjoyed a lengthy and fun-filled ski season. EHA students have been eager to hit the slopes again this year and practice some new moves they have been anticipating all year.
This is EHA's 3rd season hitting the slopes at Wildcat, located in Jackson, NH. Community Leader, Peter Lotman, took students Chris W, Steve C, and Darren M for their first day out at Wildcat. Thanks to Wildcat Representative Brian Chamberlain, EHA can enjoy another year of skiing and snowboarding at Wildcat this year.
EHA's Mark Mitchell receives "Patriotic Employer Award"
September, 2008, East Haverhill Academy
Mark Mitchell, Program Administrator, East Haverhill Academy, received the Patriotic Employer award, which is given to supportive managers, supervisors or the company in general to show appreciation from their military member employee.
The award is given in recognition of the organization's support enabling an employee to fulfill his or her military commitments.
“It has always been the Becket vision to develop and promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees” Mitchell stated.
Two New Graduates at East Haverhill Academy
August, 2008, East Haverhill Academy
We are proud to congratulate two students that recently completed graduation requirements, Evan B. (East Haverhill Academy) and Oliver T. (Becket House at Pike). Friends and faculty held a ceremony at Hall Farm to acknowledge their hard work and to present them with their earned certificates.
Upon completion of his final requirements, Oliver T. is very enthusiastic about his success:
“I feel really good about this accomplishment. I want to thank the teachers for not quitting on me when times were rough. I would like to go to a Community College or Trade School to learn more about cooking.”
Oliver, who resides at Becket’s Young Adult living program, has made great strides in his employability development by gaining part-time employment in our local community. We continue to work closely with Oliver to assist him in further developing his independent living, vocational, and employability training skills and to help him achieve his goals. Great job Oliver!
Evan B. completed his final requirements as well and is very excited with his achievement:
“I feel really good about my accomplishment of graduating high school. I would say that the vocational training and building relationships with staff members and peers were the most important parts of my time at EHA. The programming provided me with the daily structure I needed to achieve my goals. The next step is to establish myself within the community. I am going to get a job and my long-term plan is to be 100% independent.”
With the assistance of his family and Becket’s Treatment Team, Evan has made connections with transitional services in the community and has already moved his belongings into his new apartment. We are confident that Evan will find success as he transitions to the next stage of his young adult life. Good luck to you Evan!
"That School Changed My Life"
August, 2008, East Haverhill Academy
At Becket, we are always happy to hear back from former students and catch up on how they are doing. We recently received a letter from one such former student, Trevor, who graduated from East Haverhill Academy in 2006.
In Trevor’s letter, he said that “Before I went to Becket I was a kid no one wanted to be around…I would get into fights all the time. But I grew up at Becket. Becket taught me respect. Mark Mitchell (Program Administrator at EHA) was one of the teachers that helped me out a lot. I respected Mark because he was always there to talk to me when I was upset, he was able to calm me down, and just make me feel happy again. That school changed my life.”
Trevor has been working in the grocery business since he left Becket and has been promoted to meat cutter. In his spare time, Trevor writes for the local newspaper as movie critic. Trevor said that he is saving money for college so he can pursue his interest in writing and the music industry. We are all so proud of Trevor’s successful transition and we wish him the best of luck as he moves forward in life.
Facing Mount Washington
August 2008, East Haverhill Academy
Known for having the “world’s worst weather,” Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern US, with an elevation of 6,288 ft. above sea level. Mount Washington also maintains the world record wind speed of 231 mph, documented back in 1934. While this may not sound like an inviting hike to some, Becket students found it a great challenge and accomplishment when they recently reached the summit. Feelings of triumph, exhilaration, and utter exhaustion were shared by all the Becket hikers that faced Mount Washington that windy day.
Recent Visit From an Old Friend
July 2008, East Haverhill Academy
 Former Becket student, Mike C., recently stopped by to check on the Hall Farm, renew friendships with faculty, and to say “Hi” to everyone at East Haverhill Academy. Mike was a student at EHA for nearly 2 years, successfully graduating the program in 2006.
Mike said that “Life is good. I’m getting along with my parents; I have a job working as a landscaper with my brother, a driver’s license, and a car.” Mike also told his former therapist, Mike Penkert, that he still uses mindfulness skills that he learned in counseling to help him when life gets a little tricky.
Thanks for the visit Mike, congratulations and we hope to see you again soon!
Connecticut River Trip 08'
June 2008
A longstanding tradition of canoeing and camping along the  Connecticut River continues this summer, as East Haverhill Academy excitingly prepares for the 2008 canoeing adventure. Trip planning, food preparation, inventory and repair of equipment are some of the many activities students learn while preparing for the big event. Visit trip highlights for more pictures.
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