| Boot camps form part of the correctional and penal | | | | ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’ mentality. They will |
| system of some nations. It was originally modeled after | | | | be subjected to a very structured environment which |
| military recruit training camps wherein the programs | | | | includes the trainers getting right in the face of the |
| are based on shock restraint rooted on military | | | | teen. Whether a participant would be able to cope to |
| techniques. In the past couple of years, boot camps | | | | such type of environment is actually a question that |
| have been incorporating a number of rehabilitation-type | | | | must be taken into consideration before parents enroll |
| programs such as education, guidance and counseling, | | | | their struggling teen in the midst of these stringent |
| vocational training and other specialized programs | | | | setting and intense drill instructors and within a confined |
| specifically designed to address the needs of drug | | | | environment that does not permit any outside contact |
| dependents and to modify and improve behavior of | | | | for a specified period of time. They should take into |
| defiant teenagers. | | | | account whether boot camps are the appropriate |
| Boot camps aim to remove teens from negative | | | | choice for their troubled teen. It is important to note |
| influences that produce obstinate, reckless or | | | | that teenagers with behavioral and attitudinal problems |
| self-destructive behavior. It was started as an | | | | that are beyond the scope of these environments |
| alternative to prison for adolescents. There are several | | | | should not be considered for teen boot camps. |
| types of teen boot camps from state run to privately | | | | There are advocates of boot camps but there are |
| owned where the teen will be psychologically and | | | | also those who oppose the entire concept. The |
| physically challenged. Typically, privately owned boot | | | | philosophy behind most boot camps evolves around |
| camps have a greater effect on troubled teens. | | | | the premise that if you scream enough at teens and |
| Surprisingly, the decadence rate of teenagers who | | | | discipline them, they will eventually learn to follow. |
| attend state-run boot camps has been reported to be | | | | Defiant, oppositional, and troubled teenagers may learn |
| as high as 94%, while privately owned boot camps | | | | to follow suit while in the overwhelming, military-like |
| have a much lower rate overall. Boot camps can also | | | | environment of a boot camp. However, those who |
| be long-term as in the case of military-based boarding | | | | oppose such practice claim that in most cases these |
| schools or they may be short-term boot camps such | | | | short-term camps do not produce lasting changes |
| as summer camps. | | | | among troubled teens. It is said that this type of setting |
| Short term boot camps are more common. However, | | | | will more likely create animosity and resentment |
| long term boot camps are increasingly becoming more | | | | toward authority figures. Adolescents who are |
| popular owing to their ability to help defiant teenagers | | | | grappling to find their place in the world need to learn |
| improve their behavior at home, in school and during | | | | how to act in the world with as much leeway as |
| social functions. They are conceptualized based on | | | | possible. The world is no where near a boot camp. It |
| military-style, military demeanor, and rigorous physical | | | | may be a tough place at times, and does require |
| training which centers on reality, respect and | | | | camaraderie, kindness, responsibility, and other socially |
| responsibility. Many teens lack these sterling qualities, | | | | acceptable behavioral qualities |
| yet they definitely need them for a smooth and | | | | Boot camps may prove helpful to some troubled |
| successful transition to adulthood. The training and | | | | teens, while for others it may result into additional |
| experiences provided by boot camps can help | | | | problems and do more harm than good. The final |
| troubled teens to redirect destructive behaviors to a | | | | decision will ultimately depend on your assessment of |
| new outlook and direction in their lives. | | | | your teenager’s needs. After all, it is you as |
| Participants in the program cannot go home until they | | | | parents who know them better than anyone else. |
| finish the entire course. The teen is on his own, with no | | | | Take time to examine your options, and in case you |
| contact with parents, family, or friends. A traditional | | | | are not definite as to the right course of action, then |
| teen boot camp will include uniforms as well as a | | | | you may seek the help of an expert to sort things out. |