Desperate times call for desperate measures. Let’s face it; boot camps are not for fun. They exist to help troubled teens turn around their life. Teenagers who abuse drugs, run away, get expelled from school and who give their parents a terrible time are prime candidates for a boot camp. Sure it’s tough. But the camps need to be in order to break the cycle of sometimes violent and often defiant behavior displayed by some young people. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. And in this case it’s the parents who need to get going. Find the boot camp which will do the right thing with your troubled teenager.
How Effective are Boot Camps?
There are some who call boot camps scream camps because a lot of screaming goes on in some of them. And most of the screaming comes from the staff. Most boot camps are run along the lines of a military camp and the teenagers are the soldiers and the staff the loud sergeant.
When you have a teenager out of control taking drugs, lying, running away and hanging around with the wrong crowd, maybe the tough discipline of a boot camp is exactly what is required.
But remember that the desired result is one in which your child will change their behavior. It’s of little lasting benefit if, when they leave the camp, they return to their old ways.
But having said that, there are many stories in which a visit to a boot camp was the best way for a parent to help their troubled teenager. The bottom line is that you, the parent, have to do some research. Choose the camp which will give your son or daughter their best chance of success.
The types of questions you need to ask are
- What will my child actually do at the boot camp?
- How much of the time is spent on therapeutic activity?
- Is there any follow-up work after the camp and if so, how much?
Remember a boot camp for your troubled teenager can coast between $2,000 and $5,000 for a 30 day stay with some even more expensive.
Here are 10 of the most popular boot camps
#1 About Face Boot Camp
Located in Conover NC, this camp is a privately-owned facility which charges fees and operates along the lines of a Christian-based model. The camp aims to develop three things in the children – self-confidence, self-control and self-discipline. Pricing, testimonials and course content are all provided on their web site at: http://www.aboutfacebootcamp.com/
#2 Resolution Ranch for Boys
This is a camp for troubled teenage boys. It’s located in Texas on a beautiful ranch and is a safe and secure environment for young adolescents. The staff offers an individual program for each boy with a wide range of topics covering most relevant issues including social skills and academic improvements. The camp offers a free video to further explain their activities and this can be viewed on-line at: http://www.resolutionranch.com/index2.html
#3 Turnabout Ranch
Located in Escalante Utah, this facility aims to turn about the behavior of troubled teenagers. Students go to class and have therapy related topics but also play a role in running the ranch. They feed the chickens in the morning and bring in the cows at dusk. More details and photos are found on-line at http://www.turnaboutranch.com/
#4 Tipton Academy for Boys
The catch cry of this institution is “A positive place for change”. It is located in rural Kansas in the north central Rolling Blue Hills region and offers places to boys aged 12-17. Education is a key component and the care and welfare of dogs is a vital part of their program. The scenic rural location removes the distractions of big city life and photos, testimonials and more can found on-line at http://www.tiptonacademy.com/
# 5 Meadowlark Academy for Girls
Situated in Kansas this facility also uses the care and welfare of dogs as an important part of its curriculum. It is recommended that each girl spends several months at Meadowlark. Parents can call their daughter once a week and visit on a regular basis. The FAQ section on their web site provides plenty of details. The web page is at http://www.meadowlarkacademy.com/index.html
#6 TLC Teen Life Skills Center
Located in Kidder Missouri, this boot camp aims to give parents with disrespectful teenagers, a change to regain trust and respect. TLC works with teens aged 12 – 17 and helps both the residents, the teens, and their parents back home. Their program and facilities are on line at http://www.tlcprogram.com/
#7 Carolina Springs Academy
Situated new Abbeville South Carolina, this institution has been helping troubled teens for many years. Academic studies and rural activities enable students to concentrate on new and positive things removing the bad influences which have to date create their unruly behavior. They provide a free video with details of their programs. http://www.carolinasprings.com/
#8 Bethel Boys Academy
As they say, this boot camp is not for every boy. They take teenage boys who are defiant, at risk and rebellious. For some 25 years they have been successfully working with these disturbed adolescents and their web page gives more details of their program and admissions. http://www.bethelacademy.com/
#9 Pine View Academy Boot Camp
Situated in Lucedale Mississippi, this camp aims to establish honesty, integrity and leadership in the life of your teenager. Both the physical and the academic side of the teenagers are catered for. The camp deals specifically with defiant teenagers, with those who have alcohol and drug abuse problems and those who have encountered school and authority difficulties. More details are on line at http://www.teenvalues.com/boarding.schools/pineview.academy.cfm
#10 Camas Ranch Boot Camp
Situated in Thompson Falls, Montana is a 3000+ acre working ranch set up for 18-24 year old men. This is a physical camp with all manner of manual tasks performed on the ranch. Apart from caring for the ranch animals, each teen has to plan, prepare and shop for meals all the time striving to develop his independence. More details on line at http://www.teenvalues.com/boarding.schools/camas_ranch.cfm
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