Parental OptionsBoot Camps and Military Schools
Boot Camps
The term “Boot Camp” can mean anything from a real estate boot camp to a defiant teen boot camp. If you are reading this site you are evidently interested in finding help for a troubled adolescent. On television, like most everything on television, the boot camps produce immediate results. In the real world it takes a little more time to change behavior that a child has been cultivating for many years. It is only logical that long-term changes are going to take more time. The majority of the programs we work with are approximately one year in length. The one-year time frame, while not a magical number, seems to be about the average time it takes help a child make sufficient changes.
Military Boarding Schools
In the past, a “military school” was the
term used to describe a place where kids went who couldn't seem to make it in a
regular school setting. Today a military school is a privilege to attend and
can only be accessed by students who have a desire to excel. The potential
student must come with a good report card and references from their previous
teachers. This is not an appropriate fit for a teen that is defiant and unruly.
If the parents are able to convince the military school to take their child, and
the child decides to act out, they could be expelled. When a child is asked to leave a
military school there is no refund. This might be a substantial amount of money since
most military schools require tuition paid for the semester in advance.Wilderness Programs
The term “wilderness program” can refer to several types of programs. If you are seeking help for a defiant and out-of-control teen, a wilderness program uses behavior modification with a component of the program held outdoors.
Some placement agencies or educational consultants will send a child to a wilderness program before the child goes to a boarding school. They believe that if the child has a high-impact experience they might be more willing to settle down and focus on improving themselves in the new boarding school.
There are some well-established wilderness experience programs that are accident-free and have been around for many years.
In contrast there are also
some that have not been so safe and effective. It is good when looking into an
outdoor program to ask specifically about any problems, accidents, or even
deaths they might have had. Some states have increased the regulations
associated with this type of placement to assure that the child will have
adequate food, shelter, and overall safety while they are in the care of a school
or program. However, it is the ultimate responsibility of the parent to verify
the safety and track record of any potential placement option they are
considering.Wilderness Adventure Programs and Teen Summer Programs
These programs can refer to a program similar to the one described previously or it could be an option for someone looking to give a well-behaved teen an experience in the outdoors. If it is a summer adventure for a well-behaved teen they typically won't want a defiant teen to come along. The other problem is that an adolescent with behavior problems generally will refuse to go anywhere the parent sends them even if it is for fun. The majority of teens we deal with are not going to benefit very much from a wilderness adventure.
Camps for Troubled TeensWhile searching for help for defiant children the phrase “camp for troubled teen” can mean several things. The word “camp” would typically indicate that some kind of outdoor or wilderness experience is what is being sought. Camp could also mean the parent is looking for a boot camp for a defiant teen. In reality the best option may be a traditional boarding school or a residential treatment center. Sometimes parents searching for help are not exactly sure what they are looking for. We can help evaluate the needs of your child to determine what may be the best option for your family. We will help you explore your options whether you are looking for a boot camp, wilderness experience, or just some time away from your teen.
Don't Give Up. There is Hope.
We at Teen Options are here to help you find the most appropriate placement for your child; we have many schools to choose from. We also have a financial department to help you research what options will work best for you. Our programs boast in the neighborhood of an 85% success rate at helping troubled youth get straightened out. If your child has just started down the path of negative behavior, or if he or she has been on the wrong course for a long time, give us a call. Don't hesitate if your life is miserable trying to decide what to do. You are not alone. We can help.
