When teens are struggling socially, emotionally, and academically, a therapeutic summer camp can help them find self-worth, gain healthy coping skills, and go into fall strong. But many parents seeking a therapeutic summer experience for their child aren’t sure what each type of camp offers. Researching all the options can be confusing and overwhelming.
What do therapy camps for teens offer? What activities are included? Will they be safe for your child? And what’s the difference between a therapeutic summer camp, bootcamp, adventure therapy, and residential treatment? These are some of the biggest questions parents have about summer programs for troubled youth.
Key Takeaways
- There are various summer program options for teens, with different levels of therapeutic offerings.
- However, not all summer programs for troubled youth are effective or safe.
- Residential or outpatient treatment in summer can give adolescents the tools and support they need to succeed in the fall.
- Newport Academy supports families to find the right summer program for their teen, even if it’s not one of our programs.
Types of Summer Programs for Troubled Youth
There are a variety of different summer camps for behavioral problems. Here are some of the most common types of therapeutic camps for troubled youth.
- Teen bootcamps first became popular in the 1990s. They typically used a military-style approach, with harsh disciplinary tactics, including corporal punishment. Not only is this type of therapy camp for teens ineffective, some bootcamp programs were found to be responsible for the abuse and death of adolescents in their care.
- Wilderness therapy programs for teens take place primarily in the outdoors. This type of camp for youth usually lasts for two to six weeks. Teens engage in activities such as rock climbing, hiking, and overnight solo experiences. While many wilderness programs help teens, some take a bootcamp-style or “tough love” approach that can be demoralizing and traumatizing for adolescents.
- Therapeutic camps for youth can also function very much like a typical summer camp. The difference is that some or all of the staff members are trained to work with youth who are struggling with mental health conditions and co-occurring behavioral issues. In addition, these teen camps provide therapeutic activities alongside other summer camp experiences.
- Outpatient or teen residential treatment in a mental healthcare program is an alternative to therapy camp for teens. Teens who attend treatment during the summer take part in Adventure Therapy, creative arts therapies, and fitness and movement activities like dance or Mixed Martial Arts. However, they also participate in individual therapy, family therapy, and group sessions, using evidence-based modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
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Will a Summer Camp for Behavioral Problems Help My Teen?
Parents usually start looking for a therapeutic camp for youth when their teen’s behavior is out of control and they’re at their wit’s end. It’s hard to know how to best help an angry, aggressive, or withdrawn adolescent. If a teen is using drugs or alcohol, parents may feel even more desperate to get them somewhere safe and remove them from negative peer influences. The idea of a therapy camp for teens that can “fix” the problem in a few weeks starts to sound very attractive.
However, not all summer programs for youth are effective or safe. Parents need to understand the difference between a successful and high-quality treatment program vs. a “troubled teen camp” that is unlicensed and may not utilize best practices.
For many teens, spending time during the summer in residential or outpatient treatment can be incredibly beneficial. Research shows that longer stays (30–45 days or more) in treatment are much more likely to result in sustainable recovery and long-term healing. Depending on their diagnosis and behavioral issues, teens may benefit most from residential care in a home-like environment. Or they may do best in a teen outpatient program, spending the full day or the afternoon in treatment and going home in the evening.
7 Differences Between Teen Treatment and a Summer Camp for ‘Troubled Teens’
Teens often enroll in a treatment program during the summer—but a mental healthcare program for adolescents is not the same as a summer camp for “troubled teens.” The highest-quality treatment centers provide a range of specific treatment modalities and approaches. Here are some of the differences between treatment programs and camps for youth.
- An adolescent treatment program provides evidence-based, trauma-informed care. In addition to holding advanced degrees, clinical staff receive ongoing training and continuing education opportunities. A summer camp for troubled teens might or might not utilize evidence-based modalities. Moreover, staff at a therapy camp for teens are usually not trained in a wide variety of clinical modalities.
- The highest-quality treatment programs are accredited by national accrediting bodies and affiliated with leading organizations in the mental healthcare field. Summer camps for this group are often unaccredited and rarely maintain such affiliations.
- Family involvement is usually a component of teen treatment programs. Therapy camps for teens often have no family involvement. In fact, some discourage interaction with family while the teen is away from home.
- The best teen treatment programs collect, analyze, and publicize their outcomes research. Summer camps for behavioral problems usually do not do research on the effectiveness of their programming in helping teens recover from mental health issues.
- Insurance frequently covers mental healthcare services for adolescents. However, insurance companies are less likely to cover therapy camp for a teen, especially if a program is not accredited and does not utilize evidence-based care.
- Because treatment programs operate year-round, they typically include an academic component that is equipped to provide credit recovery and academic support for teens during the summer. Summer therapy programs for teens, particularly outdoor wilderness programs, are much less likely to offer educational support.
- Alumni programming is another component that teen treatment programs offer and summer camps typically do not. Alumni events like support groups and IRL get-togethers help teens stay on track with their recovery with the help of friends and mentors.
How Do I Know Which Summer Program Is the Right Fit for My Teen?
Give us a call at 877-929-5105. Newport Academy is dedicated to helping families find the program that’s the right fit for their adolescent who is struggling—even if it’s not one of our programs. We provide mental health assessments at no charge, virtually or in person at one of our nationwide locations. Once we understand what your teen is experiencing, we’ll walk you through the various options for treatment during the summer (or any time of year).
If you’re a mental health professional or a school counselor who advises families on summer program options, we are here to serve as a resource for you as well. Our Clinical Outreach Specialist in your region can assist with summer planning, recommend local outpatient options for ages 7–11 and 12–18, or help your clients get started with the admissions process for residential treatment. Learn more about how we work with referring professionals.
A Safe and Successful Alternative to Therapy Camps for Teens
Newport Academy’s teen treatment programs are a robust and impactful alternative to therapy camps for teens. We are the nation’s leading teen treatment program, offering integrated, evidence-based residential and outpatient care. Newport’s staff is comprised of medical and clinical experts with extensive education and experience, who work collaboratively to create individualized treatment plans for each client.
In our residential and outpatient programs, teens engage in exciting outdoor activities, like ziplining, hiking, kayaking, and other typical summer camp experiences. However, unlike many summer camps for troubled teens, all activities are guided by highly trained therapeutic practitioners. And in addition to outdoor activities, teens participate in clinical therapy each day.
Looking for a Therapeutic Summer Camp for Teens in Your Area?
If your teen is struggling with anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma, or another mental health condition, behavior camps for teenagers may not be enough. Newport Academy provides comprehensive care that is proven to create positive change for teens and families. Our industry-leading success rates demonstrate our commitment to creating sustainable healing for the adolescents in our care.
Newport Academy serves children, teens, and families from around the country. We have outpatient and/or residential programs nationwide. And we’re continually opening new locations in areas where families are seeking effective alternatives to troubled teen camps.
Contact us today to get started on the path of healing.
