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