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Boot camps are short-term residential facilities working with problem teenagers on improvement of their behavior at home and at school. Usually teens stay at a boot camp about 30-45 days. Programs of boot camps are usually modeled after military-style and include a lot of military exercises and intense physical trainings that focus on reality, respect and responsibility – those qualities that are vitally important for successful transition into adult life.
Boot camp experience can help problem teenagers replace destructive attitudes and behaviors with new patterns of their lives. But boot camps are usually not very effective for teenagers who have developed bad habits over a long period of time and who need long-term changes of perspective.
A true teen boot camp will include uniforms, marching in formation as well as a "yes sir" and "no sir" mentality. Teenagers live in barracks similar to average military ones. The control is very severe and teens are not allowed to have any outside contacts for a prescribed period of time. Parents should consider whether their problem teen is able to handle this military-style environment, intense physical drill. It is clear that teens with behavioral problems that are beyond the scope of these environments should not be considered for teen boot camps.
There are numerous alternatives for problem teenagers who are not eager to stay at a boot camp or who might not handle this situation. Most troubled teens who are struggling with behavior, emotions and academics will require a longer stay at a behavior modification program or Specialty Boarding School. These boot camp alternatives offer an organized and structured environment where high standards exist, they participate in emotional growth and personal development and the teen will be academically challenged. These behavior modification programs and specialty boarding schools are specifically designed to help teens replace inappropriate attitudes, behaviors and habits with long term productive ones.
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Therapeutic programs options for your problem teenager:
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Cross Creek Manor for Girls
Southern Utah
Accepts girls, ages, 12-17&1/2 years
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Cross Creek Center for Boys
Southern Utah
Accepts boys, ages 12-17&1/2 years
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Academy at Ivy Ridge
Upper New York State
Accepts boys and girls,* ages 13-17&1/2 years
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Majestic Ranch
Randolph, Utah
Accepts boys and girls, ages 7-13 years
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Tranquility Bay
Jamaica
Accepts boys and girls*, ages 12-17&1/2 years
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Carolina Springs Academy
South Carolina
Accepts boys and girls,* ages 13-17&1/2 years
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Spring Creek Lodge
Thompson Falls, Montana
Accepts boys and girls*, ages 12-17&1/2 years
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