Teen wilderness camps provide "at-risk" kids wilderness therapy through physical activity, task accomplishment, group living, and mental toughness among others. These camps are run in a wilderness setting where nature often dictates the day's events.
Are the physical risks higher than traditional options such as a rehab program? Yes, but a good camp mitigates those risks as much as possible. And the rewards are often greater.
Basic Format
Not all camps are the same, but in general, expect each group to be from 5 to 15 teens. Groups live in the wilderness for five to 12 weeks learning basic outdoor skills like building fires, cooking, and respecting the environment.

Participants
Camp staff are designed to handle a range of "at-risk" youths (ages 13-17) though some programs do sometimes lean towards one category or another. In general, these teens have the following histories:

  • Substance abuse/addiction
  • Anti-social behavior
  • Violence
  • Promiscuity
  • Depression
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Academic problems
  • Gang involvement
  • Adopted
  • Bereavement

 

Does My Child Need a Teen Wilderness Camp?
Obviously, one or more need indicators will be those listed above. These behaviors and issues will often only get worse if left untreated.

Have you tried other treatment options such as medicine for ADD, counseling for violent behavior or an inpatient rehab program for substance abuse?

Which aspects, if any, of these options worked or did not work?

Basic Philosophy
Students are plunged into an unfamiliar environment, free of their influences (people, drugs, routine, etc.) and the distractions of their everyday life.

They learn basic survival skills from the staff but otherwise the staff is hands off. Students learn quickly in the wilderness that there are consequences with every action. They learn to work together to accomplish tasks. And they learn to respect their surroundings.

A Typical Day
Here's how a typical day looks at Utah's Outback camp, according to their website.

  • Hiking for 2 to 8 miles in the mountains and valleys
  • Complete therapy assignments that focus on goal achievement and communication skills.
  • Work on academic assignments to earn school credit.
  • "Practice primitive skills such as fire-building and making gourd drums, wood flutes…"
  • Play traditional Native-American games.
  • Maintain and breakdown campsites.
  • Participate in group gatherings "designed to increase self-awareness and understanding."
  • Learn about the local flora and fauna to foster respect for the environment.

Success Rate
The Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Research Cooperative at the University of New Hampshire studied "youth well-being 24 months after the conclusion of outdoor behavioral healthcare (OBH) treatment" for programs 50 days or longer. It found the following results:

  • 80% of parents perceived OBH treatment as effective
  • About 95% of youths perceived their treatment as effective.

 

The Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Industry Council published a 24 to 36-month follow-up study of OBH participants with the following results:

  • 83% reported doing better, 58% doing well or very well, and 17% were struggling.
  • 81% rated their OBH treatment as effective

 

A study by the North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice of "at risk" (many in juvenile court) youths in their state found the following results for five teen wilderness programs:

  • 88% of kids were either working, attending school, or both 12 months after completion.
  • The average "grade place at intake was 8.3 and the average grade placement at exit was 9.3"

 

Questions to Ask
As your searching for the right teen wilderness camp, make a list of questions to ask. Some can be answered on the company's website. As you search, you'll begin to come up with questions of your own. Here's a list to get you started:

  • What are your safety practices? Here you want specifics. What do your pre-screening physical exams cover? What are the field staff's medical/first aid credentials? What are your specific hydration requirements? How do you enforce this?
  • How do you handle emergencies? Injuries? Inclement weather? Etc.
  • What are the equipment requirements? What does my child need to bring?
  • Tell me about your treatment approach? Ask for specifics.
  • What kind of kids will be in attendance? Are there gang members? Sexually promiscuous kids? Most camps have a range of accepted behaviors or "student profile".
  • How are kids disciplined?
  • Can my child receive academic credit during their stay?
  • Can I talk to other parents whose children have gone through your program?
  • Do you have data on your success rate?
  • Will I have contact with my son or daughter while they're there?
  • How often will I be in contact with their therapist?
  • How long is your program?
  • What are your specific rules for my child while they're there?
  • What's involved with your aftercare?
  • What is your program's cost?

 

Wrap Up
Teen wilderness camps are not for every kid. The camps will stretch your son or daughter, physically, mentally and socially. Your child may not be ready for this. On the other hand, hardship, self-reliance, and being away from it all may be exactly what they need.

For information on my more traditional addiction resources, see "Adolescent Programs for Addiction."