Teen Wilderness Programs
These types of programs are usually short
term. They seem to have a definite impact on the teen. Typically
the teen while in the program sincerely feels the need to
change and may even admit that he or she needs to change
their behaviors. In most cases education consultants will
recommend a wilderness to prepare a teen for a long term
placement. Usually the wilderness placement alone is not
long enough to make lasting changes in the teen's life.
Again short term is a great place to start but usually needs
to be followed up by something longer in length. Some programs
include a wilderness component into their regular program.
Some have more rustic type living for teens
that first come into a program, and then with appropriate
choices they move into nicer living conditions. Wilderness
programs are usually not academically accredited, because
of their short duration. There are usually some credits
available that would correspond to time in spent out in
nature, but it is not a given that they will be accepted.
For this reason timing is an important factor involved with
this type of placement.
If you are taking a teen out of school and sending them
to a Wilderness Program, they will fall further behind in
school. In most cases the teen is not applying themselves
in school anyway so this is not a huge factor. But in the
case where the teen is still doing well in school, this
should be taken into consideration. If academics are still
important to them and you put them in an impossible to catch
up situation, you will have to deal with other issues. They
can include lowering of self esteem for being held back
or just failing classes, and the teen having to explain
where they have been upon their return to school. While
some teens will find it cool to having been taken away for
a while, there are others that will be embarrassed for having
to explain their absence.
Other considerations of Wilderness Programs are the elements
themselves, and the ability of teens to run away. While
the majority of programs have things well planned out there
have been cases where teens have been able to overpower
staff, and run from their camping spot. This is less likely
to happen in a set location. The elements of course there
is now way to plan on how they will cooperate. There is
always the danger of extreme weather conditions, and the
problems encompassed therein.
On the other hand Wilderness Programs have had a place in
overall plan for years, and there are definite benefits
from having a teen get back to basics in this way. As you
know there is something to be said about being out in nature.
There is a tendency in this setting to have more quiet time
to reflect on what is really important, and what course
they are on. Quiet time around the campfire at night is
almost a spiritual experience and a great time for teaching
a tired youth.
Summer Program
Some schools offer what is called a summer
program. They are varied and sometimes useful if you would
like to have your teen away from negative influences for
the summer months. If both parents work it is one way to
assure that your teen will be monitored during the day.
Summer programs vary just like regular boarding schools,
and specialty programs vary. Summer programs can be like
a summer camp atmosphere, or more like a military atmosphere.
Usually they fill up early and you will have to begin to
make reservations early in the year to secure a placement
in one of them. The supervision is different at each location,
and the structure is also varied.
It would be useful to know what the daily
schedule is, and if the program offers education. Most of
the teens in need of supervision are also in need of make-up
work in school. Some locations offer education as part of
their program. This is particularly helpful if your teen
has fallen behind in school. You can accomplish both supervision
and education if you select carefully. Usually 3 month summer
programs are helpful if the teen is not real defiant. Some
summer programs will tolerate misbehavior and some will
be lest lenient, some will send a teen home at the first
sign of trouble and others will let small things slide.
If they are to send your teen home they may keep what is
remaining in your account. It is always good to make sure
that you understand the financial consequences of an early
termination from any program. There are some programs that
will keep the tuition even if the teen has only been there
a short while. Their logic is that they had to schedule
staff to be there, and may have turned someone away for
the season, thus feeling justified for keeping the money.
Summer Programs can be a good option, but like any placement
should be well researched before the decision is made. Even
though it is a short term plan it will have long lasting
effects on the teen's behavior down the road. This is particularly
true if the teen is unwilling to go and has to be escorted.
For example if you should decide later that the teen needs
to be placed again, they will be more combative, and more
likely to run away than the first time they were taken.
This like other shorter term programs will not replace the
long term program that has proven to be the most successful.
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