Boot Camps for Troubled Teens

Who Are Troubled Teens?

When teens are at-risk of excessive unruly behaviors, they can be considered troubled. Behaviors that may require them to attend a boot camp include:

• Dropping out or expulsion from school
• Violence/uncontrolled anger
• Promiscuity
• Running away
• Drug/alcohol abuse

They may have already been arrested, been through the juvenile justice system or are a step away from both. Sometimes placing the teens in educational facilities, such as a boarding or a military school, will have no effect on changing their behaviors. Boot camp may be a teen's last hope. Adolescents who attend boot camps for troubled teens are either sentenced to attend one by a judge in lieu of jail time or are put there by their parents or guardians, who fear their child's behavior may get worse if it is not corrected. Most of the time, teens don't have much choice in the matter.

What Are Boot Camps?

Boot camps for troubled teens use military exercises, rigorous physical training and discipline to break defiant adolescents of their bad behavior. They are taught to obey authority, follow rules and improve their attitudes at school and home. No therapy is given other than some type of "Christian counseling" -- advice given by ministers or church leaders. Children who are well adjusted but defiant may benefit most from this type of placement. Teens attending the camps range in age from 12-18, depending on the type of facility. They are short-term programs that last two to six weeks, and follow-up or aftercare programs are not always available.

State-Funded vs. Private Boot Camps

State-funded boot camps are free for teens who are in the juvenile justice system. There are drawbacks to them though. Some court systems, because of overcrowding, use these boot camps as a substitute for juvenile jail. There may be extremely violent or house other types of offenders who may belong in more secure facilities. Also, state-funded boot camps are closer to home, which can tempt parents to withdraw their children before they are ready to come home.

Private facilities, albeit costly, are usually the type of program with which most are familiar. They are usually owned and operated by former military personnel, but are not connected with the U.S. military. They may have some employees and a doctor or nurse on staff. Most camps will not allow teens to be on any type of medication upon arrival and they may require a physical examination. Most private programs start at about $2,000 a month, but with good credit, financing is available. Instructors are usually not allowed any physical contact with the enrollees.

Overseas Programs

Many boot camp settings in foreign countries can cost less than their counterparts in the United States. Sending a struggling teen overseas may sound like a good idea in the beginning, but most experts will warn parents from doing this for many reasons:

• Boot camps or similar programs in other countries have to abide by that domain's rules.
• It may be difficult to retrieve a child if you don't know that country's laws.
• They may be unlicensed and unregulated.

If parents decide to go with an overseas program, the cost should not be the only factor. A thorough background check on the program's owners should be done. Some may have an unclear management structure, where workers' functions overlap and there is no clear chain of command as to who owns or operates the camp. This may make it difficult to trace the program back to the program's true owners.

Alternatives to Boot Camps for Troubled Teens

Usually when teens are sent to boot camp, it may already be their last chance at redemption. But if the parents have a choice, there are other discipline-related facilities available:

• Residential Treatment Centers -- These types of programs include individual and group therapy. They are long-term facilities, with stays between six and 18 months, and include a full academic program.
• Military Schools -- Perfect for struggling teens who do not have any significant underlying emotional or behavioral problems. These schools do not have counseling available, but receive strict supervision while in attendance.
• Specialty Boarding Schools -- Also known as emotional growth schools, these facilities work to build up struggling teens through behavior modifications programs, mental health services and individualized academic studies.

Online Resources

• Juvenile Boot Camps
• Struggling Teens
• Boot Camps for Troubled Teens
• Help for Troubled Teens
• Boot Camp for Teens