| In the last 10 years, boarding schools for troubled teens | | | | Boot Camps were popular mostly in state run |
| have become much more accepted than in the | | | | correctional facilities until the last few years. Private |
| decades prior. In the 60's and 70's when a youth was | | | | Boot Camps are still available in some states. Both |
| defiant or out of control, he was usually forced into the | | | | state run and private options have had their share of |
| military, or sent to reform school. In the 90's the | | | | problems, including deaths in both types of camps. |
| troubled teen industry has flourished and so have the | | | | Many states have dropped this option and returned to |
| problems associated with the rapid growth of any field. | | | | simply locking youth up. Boot Camps are an 'in your |
| There are many types of programs for defiant youth. | | | | face" option, but care great should be exercised when |
| There are Military Schools, Behavior Modification | | | | choosing this option. It is always good to visit any |
| Schools, Residential Treatment Centers, Boot Camps, | | | | program being considered. Parents should also check |
| Wilderness Camps, and Specialty Boarding Schools | | | | with the state it is licensed in to see if they have had |
| just to name a few. Each program is designed to help | | | | any problems, or abuse. |
| parents with their out of control teens. | | | | Wilderness Camps are named as such because they |
| I will discuss the differences as I see them: | | | | take place in the wilderness rather than a facility. |
| Military Schools are designed mainly for young men | | | | Students are forced to hike during the day and sleep |
| and women looking for a career in the military. Cadets | | | | on the ground at night. The program is designed to help |
| have a lot of freedom to move about during the week | | | | spoiled teens learn to appreciate all of the things they |
| and usually have weekends free to relax, study, and | | | | take for granted. Running water, hot water, heat (other |
| are generally able to leave the campus. This is usually | | | | than from a camp fire), and a soft bed to sleep in are |
| not a good placement option for a defiant teen. Most | | | | just a few of the things they learn to appreciate. |
| Military Schools collect tuition for the year in advance | | | | There have been deaths in these types of programs |
| and offer no refund if the student is expelled. | | | | as well. With the unpredictability of the elements, this |
| Behavior Modification Schools range in beliefs and | | | | type of program can be especially dangerous. There |
| techniques and typically are much more structured | | | | are some reputable Wilderness Programs that have |
| than a Military School. Most operate using behavior | | | | been around for years that are successful. |
| modification strategies of rewards and consequences. | | | | Specialty Boarding Schools are similar to Behavior |
| Some schools advertise that they have a Positive | | | | Modification Schools, and could probably be |
| Peer Culture but in reality they are a Behavior | | | | subcategorized under them. The main difference |
| Modification School using peer pressure. | | | | would probably be the techniques they are using. As |
| Residential Treatment Centers are more of a clinical | | | | mentioned before the Behavior Modification Schools |
| setting and licensing usually requires them to have a Dr. | | | | use behavior modification. Specialty Boarding Schools |
| or Nurse on site. These types of programs are | | | | use other methods including Positive Peer Cultures, |
| effective if a child has psychological issues, suicidal | | | | Cognitive Thinking, Animal Therapy, and may even |
| tendencies, or other major types of psychiatric | | | | include a little Behavior Modification. |
| disorders. RTC's will also typically offer therapy and | | | | Choosing a placement option for a teen is a very |
| counseling as part of their program. RTC's are | | | | difficult task. Great care and research should be |
| sometimes covered by insurance which can be a real | | | | completed prior to placing your child in anyone else's |
| advantage to a parent with limited funds. | | | | care. I recommend that a parent always visit the |
| Boot Camps are basically what the term sounds like. | | | | placement option they are considering. |