The adolescent and teenage years can be filled with tumult and indecision, fraught with peer pressures and the inevitable desire to “fit in.” For at-risk teens, these years can be especially problematic, and a lack of guidance during these crucial years can result in an increase in undesirable and even truant or delinquent behavior. Summer boot camps for teens specially designed for at-risk teens can help these individuals develop healthy senses of self-esteem, and help learn effective and informed decision-making processes that can make teens feel more in control of their loves, and more capable of taking stands against potentially negative influences.
Both day camps and overnight camps, which may last for several nights to the entire summer, can offer a refuge to teens who feel a loss of purpose that can often reveal itself in acts of negative, destructive, and even harmful behaviors.
In addition to offering guidance for social, academic, and family situations and problems, these boot camps teens strive to build confident, competent individuals who are imbued with the skills to succeed in difficult circumstances.
In addition to learning social and coping skills, many camps also are designed to offer therapy for teens afflicted with learning and behavioral disabilities, such as attention deficit disorder, oppositional defiance disorder, autism, and other conditions that can cause a teen to feel disconnected from peers and family, and the life experience in general.
Many camps are also designed today to address the issue of bullying, which has grown to alarming proportions among today’s middle- and high-schooler’s. Programs teaching self-esteem and self-discipline, as well as respect and tolerance for others have become increasingly popular.
In addition to social skills, many of these boot camp for teens also offer programs in physical discipline, which can increase stamina and help combat depression, malaise and poor self-image.
When looking for a teens boot camp, consider whether your teen is ready for a long-term experience or whether he or she would be better suited to a day-camp or weeklong camp. Also be sure to consider the focus of the camp: whether it primarily address learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties, or other issues, or offers a combination. Often teens and children who experience esteem difficulties can thrive in an atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance among other children and teens that have similar feelings and experiences.
Take some time to review the options with your teen. Listen to their concerns, but be firm: often these camps can offer at-risk kids just what they need to emerge as individuals who are better equipped to handle the pressures of school and peers.
