Camps for Adolescents With Behavior Problems in California

Teens are at the age when bad behavioral choices can have serious repercussions that last for years. If home has become just a repetitive, frustrating round of conflict without resolution or change, it might be time to try a different approach. A California camp for adolescents with behavior problems might help.

  1. Quest Therapeutic Camps

    • Serving children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 18, summer programs at Quest Therapeutic Camps bring together summer fun and personalized cognitive-behavioral treatment in an energetic, active San Francisco camp setting. Staff includes licensed psychologists and child therapists, one per every 24 campers, and experienced camp counselors. Many of the counselors are college students studying child development and psychology. There's one counselor for every six campers. Campers have four hours of group therapeutic sessions each week and, on alternate weeks, group meetings are held for parents. Camp activities include journalism, swimming, drama, art, sports, music and science projects. Three consecutive weeks is the minimum span of participation in this six- to eight-week summer program. Campers attend Monday through Friday.

    Camp Orangeview

    • Camp Orangeview is run by Orangeview Family Services in Perris, California, and serves youths between the ages of 11 and 19. Three camp programs are available. The Butterfly is designed for teens with behavioral issues that, while troubling, are not yet serious. The Phoenix program is for adolescents with more serious behavioral problems that might have resulted in court system involvement. The Eagle program is for those who might have had a rocky start, but are now focused on maintaining and improving the progress they've achieved. These are structured programs with a treatment approach using behavior modification, cognitive therapy techniques, and group and one-on-one counseling. Community service is another important focus, with each teen performing at least 20 hours.

    The Activities and Adventure in Recovery Program

    • This Muir Wood program use the majesty and adventure of nature as a part of its treatment approach for adolescent boys struggling with behavioral problems and substance abuse issues. There's a strong focus on physical activity in this Petaluma-area program, considered to be an important part of its more holistic treatment style. Activities include hiking, kayaking, mixed martial arts, and cross training. Yoga and meditation are also a part of the routine, as are academic studies. One-on-one and group counseling target family conflict resolution, behavioral issues, cognitive coping techniques, and an overall restoration of mental balance and health.

    Hillcrest Community Services Wilderness Program

    • Using the therapeutic benefits of the outdoors to complement one-on-one counseling in its treatment of teenage boys with behavioral problems and addiction issues, the Wellness Program focuses on physical, mental and moral well-being. White-water rafting, rock climbing and serious hiking are some of the program activities. This Montgomery Creek region program treats adolescents with difficult personal backgrounds, complex legal histories and dual diagnoses, and those with more routine problems. The teens learn an array of practical skills, ranging from first aid to wilderness survival techniques, in preparation for week-long wilderness expeditions. Three days of that week will be spent alone for the purpose of contemplation, a part of an overall strategy of encouraging more mindful ways of living.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • How to Deal With Manipulative Teenagers
      Parenting teenagers is not always an easy task. They argue with their parents and are not always honest about where they are going. Some teenagers may even manipulate their parents to get what they want. Manipulative behaviors include flattery, threa
    • How to Get 13-Year-Old Boys to Stop Swearing
      As your child transitions to the teen years, hell probably start asserting his independence more often. Unfortunately, this can often come in the form of swearing, used to project a certain attitude or elicit a response from others. If your 13-year-o
    • How to Get Credit Cards For Teens
      Credit cards for teens? Is this a good idea? With todays economy, and so many unable to pay what they owe, it may seem a credit card and a teenager should not be mixed. But, how will young people learn about some of these issues if they dont have som