Teen Boot Camps

At risk youth are some times sent to what is known as a teen boot camp or an at risk youth boot camp. These types of placement have somewhat disappeared in the last few years. The reason for the decline is due to abuse and even death that has occurred at some boot camps.

There are private and government sponsored boot camps. There have been allegations of abuse at both types of boot camps. The truly at risk youth is definitely in need of something, but is a teen boot camp really the answer? Answering this question is difficult and will require a lot of research into the options available to parents today.

Boot Camps On The Decline

The decline of at risk boot camps or teen boot camps can probably be attributed to the news coverage of several deaths that have taken place at these types of facilities. Our theory is that when you enlist former military personnel to deal with at risk youth you create a dangerous mix. The typical spoiled child is not used to following any type of orders, and military people are used to following every order. The problem comes to a head when the military drill instructor does not receive any respect from the at risk youth.

The drill instructor may have trouble separating his former military experience from the situation he is currently dealing with. The drill instructor has been dealing with soldiers that enlisted, or wanted to be there. The at risk youth is usually placed because his or her parents want them there. This difference can be a huge factor that is very difficult for both parties to negotiate.

TV Boot Camps

Several years ago there were several television shows portraying a spoiled at risk youth being sent to a boot camp. The placements in some cases were even as short as a weekend. The former defiant at risk youth would come back a new person ready to do what ever they were asked. The impact on the child would usually only last a few weeks and they were back to their old behaviors. Once the child was out from under the direction of the drill instructor they no longer felt the need to behave. Many boot camps offer a longer term option even up to a year or more. Some people say that the results are similar, once the child is out of view of the drill instructor they revert to their old behaviors.

Some parents are mainly concerned with their child graduating high school, and moving on with their lives. This makes the at risk youth boot camp a viable option. The parent may feel that since the youth will not do what they ask, they will let the drill sergeant deal with them. When the youth turns 18 the parent can ask them to leave the house or join the military. The parent has avoided having to deal with the negative behavior and kept the child out of the legal system. Once they are of legal age they are on their own.