| 1> | | | | are gained. For example confidence, feeling of security, |
| This article discusses a few things parents should | | | | self esteem, and respect will help the teen to feel |
| consider when deciding on a wilderness therapy camp | | | | happy and in control. The last thing to realize about |
| for their teen. It outlines three factors that will help | | | | wilderness camps is that the first two weeks are |
| parents with their decision. The article deals with the | | | | difficult for everyone involved including the staff, the |
| level of difficulty of each camp, which camp best fits | | | | teen, the parents, etc. The child is often taken by |
| your child’s personality, and the complications | | | | surprise and placed in the program. Parents may have |
| during the first two weeks. The thought of sending | | | | to lie to get their children to the wilderness site. These |
| your child to a wilderness camp is frightening. You | | | | methods cause the teen to be hurt and angry at their |
| would be sending them far away to people that | | | | parents. They are also scared to be in such a distant |
| you’ve only talked to on the phone. When | | | | place where they know they can’t escape. |
| considering if a wilderness camp is right for your teen | | | | Often teens tend to shut down when they first arrive. |
| there are a few things that you should know before | | | | They rebel against their parents and authority by |
| making the final decision. Not all wilderness camps are | | | | refusing to cooperate with the program. This causes |
| the same. Wilderness camps vary greatly from very | | | | stress on the staff since they have a new adolescent |
| rough to more mild. The rougher camps are required to | | | | they hardly know anything about and that is very |
| carry all their food in their packs. This food usually | | | | angry. They have to try to get to know the teen and |
| consists of beans, lentils, and flour. Once a week their | | | | what they need while also enforcing rules. In the first |
| food supply is restocked. The teens are stripped of | | | | few days adolescents write letters to their parents |
| everything they own and given the bare minimum to | | | | describing how horrible the camp is, pleading with the |
| survive. They then have to complete tasks that allow | | | | parent to come and get them, and promising to do |
| them to earn things that make life easier, such as a | | | | better if they are brought home. This makes it worse |
| backpack, sugar, or spices. After eating plain beans | | | | for the parents. Parents already feel guilty for sending |
| and rice a little sugar goes a long way. Other camps | | | | their child away and now to receive such letters make |
| are easier. Fresh food is dropped off everyday. This | | | | them question their decision. Don’t judge your |
| consists of food like sandwiches, eggs, bacon, chicken, | | | | decision too quickly. After two to three weeks most |
| etc. These camps apply the belief that by supplying | | | | teens start to adjust. After 30-60 days they’ve |
| the teen with everything they need physically the | | | | formed new friendships with other students and staff. |
| adolescent can spend most of their time emotionally | | | | Towards the end of their stay most of them are |
| developing. As they learn the skills to survive in the | | | | leaders and experts in wilderness survival. Other |
| wilderness they can then discard unnecessary items. | | | | students look up to them and they contribute to the |
| Some children respond very well to wilderness | | | | group’s development. When looking into |
| programs. If an adolescent is enrolled in the type of | | | | wilderness camps for your teens keep this information |
| wilderness camp (rough or easy) that best suites him | | | | in mind. Realize that not all wilderness camps are alike. |
| her the experience can be positive. Wilderness camps | | | | Some are very tough and others are easier. To help |
| are short term, usually one to three months. It | | | | your child have success decide which type best suites |
| doesn’t seem like much can be accomplished in | | | | their personality. Lastly it’s important to keep in |
| such a short amount of time. This is not true. Factors | | | | mind that the first two weeks will be very difficult for |
| such as working as a team, following a strict schedule, | | | | all involved. These guidelines will help to maximize your |
| accomplishing difficult tasks, and Mother Nature all help | | | | child’s success. |
| to create a quick change in the child. Many attributes | | | | |