| What are Boot Camps for Troubled Teens? | | | | the program, as well as specialized aftercare following |
| Teen boot camps are correctional programs for | | | | release, boot camp programs have been consistently |
| delinquent youth in a military-style environment. | | | | unsuccessful in "changing" juveniles. |
| These programs typically emphasize discipline and | | | | What are the alternatives? Youth who need some |
| physical conditioning and were developed as a | | | | form of treatment care require an individualized |
| rigorous alternative to longer terms of confinement in | | | | approach that takes their strengths and needs into |
| juvenile correctional facilities. Many, but not all, of | | | | account. Programs and policies should be |
| these programs are followed by a period of | | | | family-centered, including the family in all decision |
| probation or some form of aftercare. Boot camps | | | | making about a child, as well as culturally and |
| are generally restricted to non-violent or first-time | | | | developmentally appropriate. Research has shown |
| offenders. | | | | that small, family-centered programs are more |
| The idea of "shock incarceration" as a tough, | | | | effective than boot camps in the long term. |
| low-cost alternative to more intensive programming | | | | You have made the right choice in seeking help. The |
| brought about the establishment of military-style | | | | next step is to contact us. We have a great deal of |
| boot camps for troubled teens. | | | | experience in the treatment care industry. We have |
| Are Boot Camps Effective? Experts agree that a | | | | worked in the industry. We have lived in the industry. |
| confrontational approach is often inappropriate. Most | | | | We have seen what works ...... and what doesn't. |
| correctional and military experts agree that a | | | | Does Your Child Need a Boot Camp for Troubled |
| confrontational model, employing tactics of | | | | Teens? |
| intimidation and humiliation, is counterproductive for | | | | Often when teens struggle with the numerous issues |
| most troubled teens. The use of this kind of model | | | | they face in today's society they become, frankly, |
| has led to disturbing incidents of abuse. For youth | | | | quite unpleasant. Thousands of families throughout |
| with emotional, behavioral, or learning problems, | | | | the country have felt that the best way to get |
| degrading tactics may be particularly inappropriate and | | | | youth back on track is to send them to boot camps |
| potentially damaging. The bullying style and aggressive | | | | for troubled teens. The idea is to both "straighten |
| interactions that characterize the boot camp | | | | them out" and to legally punish them in the most |
| environment fail to model the pro-social behavior and | | | | painful way possible. However, unreported in both the |
| development of empathy that these youth really | | | | media and from these programs is the fact that |
| need to learn. | | | | there is very little statistical evidence that boot |
| Positive changes demonstrated while in the boot | | | | camps for troubled teens have a long-term impact on |
| camp may not last when a youth returns to his | | | | the success of the child. In fact, there is mounting |
| community. Many juveniles report that the program is | | | | evidence that they are both ineffective and in many |
| helpful to them and they feel more positive about | | | | cases detrimental. |
| their futures. It is unclear, however, whether these | | | | But there are other options to boot camps for |
| attitudes persist after youth leave the boot camp, or | | | | troubled teens. InsightPros is here to help. |
| whether they are related to actual changes in | | | | We will guide you. We will inform you. Take |
| behavior once a youth returns to his community. | | | | advantage of our knowledge and insight. You have |
| Without significant therapeutic intervention while in | | | | nothing to lose and everything to gain. |