Written by Wood Creek Academy.
It can seem like there are no good solutions for parents dealing with teenage boys who are constantly getting into trouble. Some teens simply don’t change their ways after getting in trouble at home, at school or even with the law. For some parents, there can be a feeling of hopelessness and a sense that the situation will never be fixed.
However, there is hope in the form of therapeutic wilderness programs for teens that can be found across the United States. In these programs, teens go to live in remote areas as part of groups in a structured environment lead by clinical therapists. Along with traditional therapy tactics that take place in a wilderness environment — such as group therapy sessions — participants in these programs for troubled youth also engage in outdoor activities. These tactics help to reinforce the idea of community with teens who may have become isolated from their peers, along with creating positive work habits and self-images.
But does wilderness boot camp for teenagers really work? When wilderness therapy programs first became popular in the 1980s, there was a lack of research on the benefits of the approach. In fact, some psychologists were concerned that these programs could have negative impacts on teens, particularly those with low self-esteem.
Recent research has proven that wilderness therapy programs can have a positive impact on teens who are struggling with their lives. For example, a study published by Dr. Keith Russell of the University of Idaho in 2003 showed that participants in wilderness therapy programs for teens had significant measurable gains in their ability to function and connect in society, and that these gains were maintained over the course of a year. A follow-up study published two years later showed that original subjects were doing well in school or in their careers, and that more than 80 percent of their parents considered wilderness therapy to be effective.
Parents with troubled teens can take comfort in knowing that sending them to a wilderness therapy program isn’t a “last resort” move with limited potential for success. Instead, it is a proven method that has helped countless young men to learn valuable lessons and get their lives back on track. They work because they give participants a chance to shed their past issues and get a fresh perspective on life in settings that are often far removed from their current lives. They can bond and grow with other teens going through similar issues and get post-care treatment to make sure they are staying on track.
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The Wood Creek Academy is a licensed boarding school for troubled teens located in the mountains of western Montana. The program helps teenage boys gain confidence and self-respect in a group setting.