Mount Prospect Academy

(Plymouth, NH)

Located in Plymouth, NH, Mount Prospect Academy offers a staff secure intake and assessment residential treatment program and licensed special education academic facility for boys, ages 11-17.  Mount Prospect Academy provides an active milieu that emphasizes public service, adventure and healthy living.

Mount Prospect 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. Students attend core classes at MPA, and participate in Becket Family's Vocational Stewardship Program, including a culinary arts program, an agriculture and land use management program, a forestry and wildlife program, and a building trades program, all located on a 2000 acre campus bordering the White Mountain National Forest.

Highlights of the program include a dynamic counseling program that combines traditional individual and group therapy with adventure, 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 climbing, including climbing at the world famous Rumney Cliffs.

Latest News at Mount Prospect Academy

Maine Road Trip for Mount Prospect Academy

September 2009, Mount Prospect Academy

Mount Prospect Academy recently rewarded eight students with a Whitewater Rafting/Acadia National Park Trip at the beginning of August. The students earned their spot on the trip by successfully working on treatment goals and consistent appropriate behavior.

The trip began with a lengthy ride from Plymouth, NH to Bingham, ME with an overnight camping trip at North Country Rivers. The group then navigated the Kennebec River led by a certified North Country Rivers Whitewater Guide. The trip down the river was followed with an excursion to Bar Harbor, ME to visit Acadia National Park.

The students and faculty spent the next two days hiking Cadillac Mountain, picking wild blueberries and watching the sunrise from the highest point along the North Atlantic seashore. High atop Cadillac Mountain at 5:30am Becket students and faculty were the first to view the sunrise on the east coast.

Memorial Day at Mount Prospect Academy

May, 2009, Mount Prospect Academy

At Mount Prospect Academy, students learned that Memorial Day is much more than just a 3 day weekend initiating the summertime season in New England. MPA students experienced Memorial Day as a time to reflect on, and pay respect to, the many soldiers that have died to protect our country.

With warm weather and sunny skies, faculty also made sure that students enjoyed a fun-filled day packed with tug of war, water balloon toss, boiled egg relay, three legged race, and a watermelon eating contest. What a pleasure to see all the smiles and hear the laughter as everyone shared in the celebrations of this holiday.

Becket Students Enjoy Bingo Night at the NH Veterans Home

April, 2009, Mount Prospect Academy

Who knew teenagers could have so much fun playing bingo! A group of Becket students from Mount Prospect Academy and Becket House at Campton recently made the trip to the NH Veteran’s Home in Tilton to help out with Bingo Night. What a positive and fun night! Staff Ashley and Angela made the trip with students Nick L. and Will C. and the group could not have been happier to help out their new friends at the Veteran’s Home. The Veterans clearly enjoy engaging in activities such as Bingo, but of course, with age comes an unfortunate loss in hearing and eyesight, making it difficult for them to hear the numbers being called and accurately identifying them on their game boards. Fortunately, volunteers such as Becket students can help them enjoy the game, enabling them to have a great time and show off their more competitive sides!

Everyone teamed up with one of the Veterans to help them win cash prizes provided by the local American Legion Post. The Becket students were very excited to help the Veterans play and had a great time chatting with them and learning about their personal history. Many of the veterans were quite the characters, too! Among the jokesters were Veterans Chester and Ellis who kept everyone laughing with their wonderful sense of humor. The Becket students were smiling from ear to ear for the duration of the game, and talked with enthusiasm about the Veterans the entire ride home. The group cannot wait to go back and help out again!

Proudest Ball Boy for Keene State Men's Basketball

February, 2009, Mount Prospect Academy

In an effort to connect Becket students with their community in a positive and productive manner, Darci Wilson, Permanency Coordinator, recently went to the Keene State men's basketball team to make this happen.  One of Darci's students, Neeko, has a great interest in basketball and working with people.  Darci contacted Rob Colbert, coach for the Keene State men's basketball to find a way for Neeko to combine his interests together. 

Neeko lived a "dream come true" by being ball boy for Keene at a recent game against Plymouth State College. It was quite an exciting evening for Neeko, with fellow students and staff there to cheer him on.  Neeko was beaming from ear to ear when Coach Colbert approached Neeko before the game and said, "Are you the young man I have heard such good things about?"

All of the Keene players were very receptive to Neeko; they even gave him a t-shirt and an invitation to "help out again anytime."  Positive experiences like this are golden at Becket as they open our students to new experiences within their community as well as open up the community to what Becket students have to offer.

"Your Organization Works Miracles"

January, 2008, Mount Prospect Academy

Permanency Coordinator, George Bliss, received this moving letter from parents of a recent Becket graduate, Nick:

The holiday has been fantastic with Nick. He continues to be respectful and thoughtful of others' feelings, what a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!

We definitely got everything we have prayed for year after year. We want to thank you so much for the gifts for the children, they loved them. We also want to thank everyone who has been a part of Nick's recovery and truly helped to save this boy’s life. Your organization works miracles and again, we are truly thankful for all of you. Hope you and your family have been as blessed as we have been.

God bless you in this new year,

Dan and Laurie

New Auto Shop Class Up and Running

January 2009, Livermore Falls Applied Learning Center

Mount Prospect Academy recently expanded its applied learning program by opening shop at the Livermore Falls Applied Learning Center in Plymouth, NH.  The program offers Becket students vocational skills in Automotive Repair, Building Trades, Outdoor Education and Pre-employment instruction. 

Located at the old Wilson Tire building on Main Street in Plymouth, the site required many repairs and renovations.  Building Trades and Automotive students combined forces and completed most of the building and renovations needed.  The class installed an eco-friendly furnace that runs off of recycled oil retrieved when completing oil changes in the shop.  The furnace is an innovative way to dispose of the discarded oil, recycle energy, heat the auto shop economically and teach students responsible care for their environment all at the same time. 

Under the guidance of Dave Morrill, Automotive Instructor, students perform all stages of auto repair.  The shop can service 5 vehicles at a time, primarily Becket vehicles, staff vehicles and then if there is any time to spare, community vehicles. Students jumpstart the process with a purchase order, then assess the problem and construct a plan of repair with Dave Morrill supervising.   Depending on particular skill levels, students learn proper tool usage and care, how to assess a vehicle, the different parts of the engine and how to complete step-by-step repairs.  Students learn how to complete tasks independently with Dave diligently watching over their shoulder to monitor progress and accuracy at every stage in the repair.

One student, Clifford, has been working on engines with Dave for over a year.  With both arms elbow-deep in an engine, Clifford remarked, “I love the hands-on work, like taking things apart and rebuilding them. I enjoy tinkering and learning all the different parents of the engine and how they work. I want to be a mechanic when I graduate and am really grateful for everything Dave’s taught me.”

MPA's Christmas Party Raffle Donation

January, 2009, Mount Prospect Academy

Everyone at Mount Prospect Academy enjoyed another Annual Christmas Party this year. The festivities were held at the Waterville Estates Recreation Center and the big event that got everyone excited was the raffle.  Everyone got 10 “free” tickets, then the crowd bought many more to increase their chances of winning.  All proceeds were donated to two Becket families struggling with cancer, Cameron Marshall and Brynne MacMurtry. 

Many items were generously donated for the raffle, some of the more sought out prizes were: microwave, dishwasher, ski tickets, Red Sox tickets (thanks Jay and Jeff!), and Aqua Massages from Plymouth Chiropractics.  Over $600 was raised along with the dinner, dancing, raffle, and good times.   

2nd Annual Turkey Bowl at MPA

December, 2008, Mount Prospect Academy

Students enjoyed last years' Turkey Bowl so much that the group has decided to make it an annual event.  Mount Prospect Academy hosted its 2nd Annual Turkey Bowl at the football field adjacent to the Plymouth Animal Hospital, a special thanks to Dr. Cote for donating the use of the field again. 

While turkeys were cooking in the oven, everyone enjoyed a large BBQ of hamburgers and hotdogs.  Approximately 40 students showed up for the big game, and many staff came in for the game even though it was their scheduled day off.  With bellies full, and muscles aching, everyone slept well that night!

New Director of Academics at MPA

December, 2008, Mount Prospect Academy

Karen Langley, Director of Academics, joined the Becket Family of Services in September 2008 after spending 10 years as the Education Administrator at Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc. Prior to working at Eckerd; Karen was Principal at the Errol Community School, a K-8 school located in Errol, NH. She began her career in education by teaching special education for 10 years at Colebrook Academy.  Karen earned her Bachelor’s Degree at New Hampshire College, now known as Southern New Hampshire University majoring in Human Services, earned her special education teaching certification through coursework with Granite State College and her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership at Plymouth State University. As Director of Academics, Karen’s priorities include oversight of all academics provided by the Becket Family of Services.  These duties include the development, implementation and oversight of each student’s individualized education plan, curriculum development, professional development for teaching staff and oversight of the school approval process and continuing quality improvement.  Karen has been on the Board of Directors for the New Hampshire Association of Special Education Administrators for the past four years.

Karen was born and raised in Milford, CT. She was the eighth child out of eleven.  She moved to New Hampshire after purchasing 25 acres of land in Colebrook, NH where she built a home and raised her three children, Michelle, Joshua and Sean. Now that her children are grown and living on her own, she has moved to the Plymouth area where she is much closer to civilization! Karen loves the outdoors and spends her free time kayaking, hiking, skiing and snowshoeing.  She is also an avid reader and loves listening to music.

Having worked in a variety of educational settings with students of all ages and abilities, Karen’s believes that education does not need to happen inside the four walls of a building or from a textbook, “Students learn from their experiences and these experiences occur everywhere.  As educators, we need to be aware of the teachable moments that occur with our students throughout the day. We need to help our students make connections between their experiences and a lesson learned.  Just as important, we, as educators, need to possess the desire to motivate our students in an effort to get them excited and engaged in their learning.” 

"A Joy to Have Him Home " a parent letter to Becket

November, 2008, Mount Prospect Academy

At Becket, we are always delighted to hear back from our students and their families after they graduate from our program, especially when we hear success stories from parents:

"The past couple of years have brought our family a lot of darkness, frustration, concern, apprehension, fears and tears.  Through this all, in the past year since Matthew entered MPA (Mount Prospect Academy), that darkness (though it did get a little darker at first) began to show glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel and here, a year later, Mathew is home and ready to become an integral part of our family and the community as a whole. 

For that, I thank each and every one of you for assisting Mathew to look after himself, life and people in general, with the respect they each deserve. His transformation from an angry young man to a somewhat typical teenager, has been very impressive over the past few months. 

A year ago, I did not think I would be making a statement like this, but it is really a joy to have him home again, positively interacting within our family and community.  Your positive reinforcement that he does have value is immeasurable.

I know he, like my other sons, will never be perfect - but you did assist him to bring out and recognize the fine young man, I knew was hidden in all that darkness.   

I wish you all well & continued success with the wonderful job you do.  I also hope to be sending you all an invitation to Mathew's High School Graduation in June of next year.  We would love to have you celebrate in his continued success." 

Thanks again  - Joanne & Ricky Sprague and family

Apple Picking For a Local Food Kitchen

November, 2008, Mount Prospect Academy

Darcy Wilson, Permanency Coordinator at Mount Prospect Academy recentlywent with a group of her students to pick apples at a local orchard for community service.  The apples that we picked (and not eaten) were donated to a local soup kitchen, The Community Kitchen.   The Community Kitchen provides hot meals, take-home food boxes and advocacy to low- and moderate-income men, women and families with children in the Monadnock Region.

This project was a part of Becket's permanency initiative to promote students volunteering in their local communities.

Afternoon Clubs Boom at Mount Prospect Academy

October, 2008, Mount Prospect Academy

Mount Prospect Academy's afternoon clubs have completed a successful and growing first year!  After a full academic day, students greet the afternoon eager to participate in a variety of clubs offered by MPA faculty.  Clubs are designed around students' interest, and their input is carefully considered when crafting the program. 

Afternoon clubs started last year with only 5 options, and they have now grown tremendously to include:

Afternoon clubs have been instrumental to the transition from morning academics to evening residential life.  Rather than sitting around watching TV, or playing video games, clubs offer students exercise, adventure, and inspiring activities to enrich their experience at Becket. 

"Be Positive" Crossing the Finish Line at CHad Half Marathon

October, 2008, Mount Prospect Academy

Jay Marshall, Assistant Director of Mount Prospect Academy, and his 8 yr. old son, Cameron, recently ran in the CHaD Half Marathon, raising over $2,770 for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth.  While Jay completed the full 13.1 mile loop through Hanover, Cameron ran “Cam’s Course,” a 1.5-mile loop especially designed for children and families in support of Cameron.  Just over two months ago, Cameron was diagnosed with T-cell leukemia.  Life at the Marshall house suddenly came to a screeching halt.  While the Marshalls have had a shocking and difficult past two months, the community support of the Marshall Family has been tremendous. 

Despite exhaustion from grueling treatments, fighting off sickness, and even the rain, Cameron completed “Cam’s Course” and crossed the finish line with help from his mother, his principal (Jeff Valence), and all of his school friends at the Lyme School.

“We want to thank each and every one of you!!  Whether you’re praying for us, whether you ran for CHaD, whether you’ve made a meal,.....whatever it is you’ve done to support us, or another family in need,.....you need to know, “YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE”!! YOU are our “heroes!” (The Marshall Family)

If you would like to donate to the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth, please visit Jay Marshall’s sponsorship page.  For more information on CHad, please visit the www.chadhalf.org.  And please keep Cameron's motto in your thoughts (inspired when he learned his blood type) “Be positive!”

Becket Gains Support from Connery Psychological Services

September, 2008, Mount Prospect Academy

Becket Family of Services has recently teamed up with Dr. Andrew Connery to ensure that Becket's health measurement practices meet or exceed state and federal standards for residential care.  Dr. Connery is a licensed psychologist and certified DCYF provider. He has provided psychological evaluations in NH for over 20 years for children, adolescents, and parents. An expert in child and adolescent development, Dr. Connery has helped establish the structures for and treatment criteria for treatment centers and specialized schools, worked in public schools as school psychologist, carried out training on numerous subjects for social service agencies, and enhanced family functioning through practical recommendations and measurable family objectives. 

Dr. Connery will be involved in staff training at Becket as well as indirect student services.  This is an exciting step forward in the use of cost-effective evidence based measurement that will promote student-centered and family-centered service delivery.  More information about Connery Psychological Services, is available at www.psychservices.org.

Permanency Emphasis on Outdoor Education

September, 2008, Mount Prospect Academy

Darcy Wilson, Permanency Coordinator at Mount Prospect Academy, recently took a few of her students hiking up Mount Monadnock for a little fresh air, exercise, and cleaning up trash along the trails.  Teaching students healthy pro-social activities in their local area is key to Permanency success as Darcy notes, "I really love the permanency concept of extending an Outdoor Education emphasis to the boys' home communities."

The boys were exhilarated when they reached the top and they all worked very hard at making sure lunch made it safely to the summit!  As student Jason O. made it to the peak, he exclaimed, “Is this what heaven looks like?”

Becket Opens New Substance Abuse Program

September, 2008, Becket House at Warren

Becket House at Warren officially opened its doors with, 8 students happily moving in to their new home on 8/18/08. Under the direction of Mount Prospect Academy's Executive Director, Jeff Caron, the program "offers services to students trying to overcome co-occurring substance and behavioral issues."

Warren students attend school at Becket's Mount Prospect Academy, located in Plymouth, NH. Students begin treatment through the Denali Substance Abuse Program at MPA, where treatment progress and behavior are closely monitored. Students demonstrating commitment to their treatment and recovery will then transition to the Becket House at Warren to continue their treatment in a more independent environment with a progressive step toward recovery. The family-like atmosphere, majestic surroundings, and supportive environment all play an important role in student success.

Community Clinician, Anna Lee Brown, M.A., supervises the clinical treatment of Warren students. Clinical services include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, group work, attendance at self help groups (Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous), 12 Step Work, participation in substance abuse treatment (Prime for Life), and psycho-educational groups. Anna Lee's passion for adventure plays an important role in providing students drug-use replacement activities through outdoor education to promote pro-social development, "I am so excited about making this a strong evidence based treatment program to offer our students a chance for change and a productive future."

After an exciting first week in the new house, Community Leader, Nina Johnston, reports that the students have adjusted well to their new setting and love the new program, "The guys have been great. They have all participated in groups and have been extra helpful getting the place in order. They love making dinner and feeling like they are at home. Becket House at Warren reminds me of why I enjoy working with struggling youth. The atmosphere here makes it so easy to sit on the porch and just talk with the boys."

The Warren Village Inn is a historic building originally built in 1891.  The stately Victorian is situated on a scenic rise of land in the Baker River Valley. Great care and detail were taken by the Newton family, which bought and restored the building in 2001. The inn provides an ideal atmosphere for students to work through their recovery program as they move toward success in life.  On moving day, the students were very optimistic about their new house. One student eagerly commented, "This place is sweet! It feels like home, only better."

Becket Announces New Program in Warren, NH

July 2008

Jeff Caron, Executive Director of Mount Prospect Academy, is pleased to announce the planned opening of a new 8 – 10 bed residential program called the Becket House at Warren. The program will be located at the current site of the Warren Village Inn in Warren, N.H.

Jeff Caron announces: “The opening of the Becket House of Warren is designed to further a strategic goal of reducing the number of students at our facility in Plymouth, and also to help us focus treatment for students presenting with similar treatment issues. The program focus will be to offer services for students trying to overcome co-occurring substance abuse and behavioral issues. I cannot say enough about the facility, which is absolutely stunning and will provide an inspiring family like atmosphere for our students and faculty alike.”

“The Becket House at Warren” will be a welcome addition to the Mount Prospect Academy community. Anna Lee Brown, M.A., who has worked in our substance abuse program at MPA, will lead the clinical program. Substance abuse treatment, psycho-educational groups, and outdoor education are a few activities that will become part of the Warren program.

The Warren Village Inn is a historic building originally built in 1891. It is located adjacent to the Warren Fish Hatchery, which raises trout and salmon stock. The stately Victorian is situated on a scenic rise of land in the Baker River Valley. Great care and detail were taken by the Newton family, which bought and restored the building in 2001. The inn will provide an ideal atmosphere for students to work through their recovery program as they move toward success in life.

Sue Beck Builds Ties with Becket and the Dominican Republic

July 2008, Mount Prospect Academy

Becket Family of Services recently donated funding to the Batey Scholarship fund which will provide multiple children the opportunity to attend high school as well as provide books, clothing, and shoes.  In March, Becket employee Sue Beck, went to the Dominican Republic with a group of graduate students from UNH.  The purpose of the trip was to become educated about the Dominican culture, political structure, and way of life. 

The volunteer group worked in collaboration with Dominicans both young and old to build a cement roof onto a school and a cement floor in a community member’s home.  The addition to the school will serve as both a hurricane shelter and medical and dental facility for the children living in the San Luis Batey.    The San Luis community was very grateful for the support and contribution provided by Becket.  We hope that this relationship will continue and that the Becket community and the San Luis community can remain connected and learn from each others experiences, as both are unique and special. 

Community Clean Up!

June 2008

A dedicated crew of students and staff volunteered to help clean up Ashland Park and Recreation Department recently.  All students worked hard and braved the beginnings of black fly season in New Hampshire!  There is still much work to be done but everyone did a great job.  Way to go Team!

Becket Day at Loon Mountain

May 2008

Becket Day at Loon Mountain has been a fantastic experience for students from Becket Family of Services.  For the past three years, Loon Mountain has generously donated ski tickets and rental packages to Becket so that their students may enjoy the slopes when they otherwise would not have had the opportunity.     

Executive Councilor Ray Burton met with Becket's Executive Director, Jeff Caron, to join the boys on the snowy slopes of Loon Mountain recently. 

One student, who was out of breath from just finishing a run said, "This is awesome!  I haven't skied in years and have missed it...it is so good to get out and ski again.  I love Loon!"  Jeff Caron, notes that, "It is an invaluable experience for the boys to get out and interact in a pro-social environment and we thank Loon for making this happen." 

Councilor Burton praised Loon on their charitable efforts and commended them for setting an example for local businesses in the northeast area.

Substance Abuse Recovery at MPA

February 2008

Students come to Becket from all walks of life and have many different struggles they battle.  In an effort to provide individualized care Mount Prospect Academy opened the Denali wing for students specifically dealing with substance abuse issues.

Students are offered a safe and secure recovery environment where access to drugs is limited so they are able to get a glimpse of sobriety.  Anna Lee Brown, Community Clinician for MPA oversees programming for her residents, "The hope of the Denali community is to provide a space in the student's life where they can be drug free and exposed to opportunities to more fully experience life." 

Due to the efforts of Permanency Coordinators Pam Smith and Angela Wilson, students from various Becket programs attend Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotic Anonymous meetings throughout the week.  They plan to host NA meetings directly on campus in the near future for their students as well.  "The overwhelming response to these meetings has been very positive, as students are often challenged and touched by stories of real life addicts for whom alcohol and drugs had gained negative control of their lives," says Anna Lee.  AA and NA literature is on hand, along with competent residential staff who help process the 12 step recovery program with students.

Since most nights are spent attending recovery meetings, Thursdays nights are marked as "Denali Night" where the community engages together in a meaningful recreational activity with the Residential faculty.  This helps students experience positive ways to interact with peers and to enjoy recreational activities without abusing substances.

Please visit Becket's Latest News to read about more

adventures at our Becket programs.