Source: Boot camps
Brat Camps
Whoever would’ve guessed that watching a bunch of unruly, disrespectful “brats” would be considered entertainment?! From the UK to the United States, viewers are glued to their televisions, watching the adventures, battles and emotional breakdowns of a group of teens that need a quick dose of reality in the new TV series “Brat Camps”.
Brat camps are very similar to wilderness programs and some of them closely resemble the juvenile boot camps that have grown in popularity. Brat camps are considered by many to be good options for teens that have early signs of problems but have not become firmly attatched to negative influences and bad behavior. However, teens that have developed bad habits over long period of time would benefit more from long-term options that range from 12-18 months. Long-term options have the ability to replace bad habits with positive, constructive habits that will benefit the teen throughout their lives.
Boot Camp Overview
Started as an alternative to jail for juvenile adolescents, there are serveral types of teen boot camps from state run to privately run where the teen will be mentally and physically challenged. These facilities can be a starting place for getting your teen help. In both the state and private environment the camps goal is to scare kids straight generally only giving a good short-term solution. Parents often seek out boot camps with the assumption that a “wake up call” is all that is needed for their troubled teen.
Boot Camps are often short-term, however, long-term boot camps have increased in popularity for their ability to help defiant adolescents improve their behavior at home and school. They are modeled after military-style, military exercises, and intense physical training focusing on reality, respect and responsibility. Many teens lack these qualities, yet they desperately need them in order to successfully transition into adulthood. This experience can help teens replace destructive attitudes and behaviors with new perspectives and direction in their lives. The theology behind a short-term camp being that a “quick reality check” will turn a child around who has been acting out. These boot camp style programs are usually ineffective for teens that have developed bad habits over a long period of time and are in need of long term change.
What is it like to be in a Teen Boot Camp?
A true teen boot camp will include uniforms, marching in formation as well as a “yes sir” and “no sir” mentality. They will include a very structured environment that includes the trainers getting right in the face of the cadet. Barracks will be similar to those in the U.S. Military’s “basic training” program and will be authentic in areas including bunk beds, foot lockers and a very strict, no holes barred system of inspections that must be completed without error if the teen is to survive the ordeal, even for a short period of time. Whether a child is able to handle this type of environment is actually a question that must be considered before a parent puts a struggling teen in the midst of these intense drill instructors and within the environment that does not permit any outside contact for a prescribed period of time. Parents should consider more than just if the cadet can survive. They should consider whether juvenile boot camps are the right choice for a troubled teen. It is clear that teens with behavioral problems that are beyond the scope of these environments should not be considered for teen boot camps.
Do Boot Camps Work?
These type of programs are designed as a quick fix and may help a struggling teen with respect, obedience and appreciation. However, they are not a good long term option for teens that need help. Recidivism rates suggest that they are not a good solution for long term change.
A true teen boot camp will include uniforms, marching in formation as well as a “yes sir” and “no sir” mentality. They will include a very structured environment that includes the trainers getting right in the face of the cadet. Barracks will be similar to those in the U.S. Military’s “basic training” program and will be authentic in areas including bunk beds, foot lockers and a very strict, no holes barred system of inspections that must be completed without error if the teen is to survive the ordeal, even for a short period of time. Whether a child is able to handle this type of environment is actually a question that must be considered before a parent puts a struggling teen in the midst of these intense drill instructors and within the environment that does not permit any outside contact for a prescribed period of time. Parents should consider more than just if the cadet can survive. They should consider whether juvenile boot camps are the right choice for a troubled teen. It is clear that teens with behavioral problems that are beyond the scope of these environments should not be considered for teen boot camps.
Do Boot Camps Work?
These type of programs are designed as a quick fix and may help a struggling teen with respect, obedience and appreciation. However, they are not a good long term option for teens that need help. Recidivism rates suggest that they are not a good solution for long term change.
Health and Safety Issues
Health and Safety of your teen should be considered when choosing a juvenile boot camp. Boot camps have come under fire recently with health and safety issues. Some may attempt to push a child too much or may be to extreme with their in your face approach. Many choose to use too much military drill instructor techniques. While the drill sergeant may have success with military basic training cadets who have voluntarily gone to boot camp. Ex-drill sergeants may be ineffective with a struggling teen that is not as motivated as some one enrolled into the military.
Published by: ABP World Group International Child Recovery Services
ABP World Group - Parental Abduction Recovery & Kidnapping Recovery 
This post is very beneficial for gaining idea about boot and brat camps and their benefits for struggling teens. Basically many parents are sending their harassed youngsters to boot camps because of their strict and disciplined procedures and time tables. These camps are making the children physically and mentally strong as well as also build sense of discipline and leadership in cadets.
Boot camps and brat camps are very effective for troubled teens and they offer lots of opportunity to change their behavior towards life. Lots of activities are offered here at these camps which are quiet beneficial and also help them inculcate lots good qualities. People, looking for more information on various camps can visit this site.
http://www.teensbootcamps.net/
Wilderness or brat camps do have benefits. One of their aims is to help stimulate a sense of self-awareness and self-worth within participants. Their programs aims to provide skills so the teens may enjoy and participate in the camp and hopefully to carry those skills back to their every day life because these camps help them to be equipped with on-going life skills. As parents, we can’t just give our teens a pill to automatically make them mature and act responsibility but we can always give them a chance to work in a different environment and overcome problems. The activities in these camps, in general, can help develop maturity within our teens. This specific article speaks more of the benefits of a brat camp –
http://www.teenwildernessprograms.org/teen-wilderness-programs/brat-camp-what-is-a-brat-camp.html
Great post!! I really do believe that teen boot camps really gives benefits to parents who have struggling teens. There were many activities and programs offered. It is really a great help for the teens especially those who are on drugs or having bad behavior. If you want changes for your kids, you can also visit these site : http://www.teenbootcamps.org.