Low-Priced Summer Camps for Troubled Teens in Colorado

Finding a summer camp for a struggling teen can be difficult. Many camps are not equipped to handle teens struggling with anger management issues, depression, ADHD as well as drug or alcohol use. Private summer camps can cost up to tens of thousands of dollars for a full summer program, but Colorado has less costly alternatives.

  1. The Intercept Program, Outward Bound

    • Outward Bound is a non-profit organization offering an Expeditionary Learning School, an Outward Bound Denver program, and the Intercept Program, an early intervention program for struggling teens. The Intercept Program targets teens with anger management issues, truancy and poor school performance and drug and alcohol use. The Intercept Program is not for serious juvenile offenders but is an early intervention program. Scholarships are available. Teens must voluntarily agree to participate.

      Outward Bound
      At-Risk Expeditions
      910 Jackson St., Golden, CO 80401
      Phone: 866-467-7651
      Fax: 720-497-2421
      [email protected]
      outwardbound.org

    Summer Wilderness Program, the Monarch Center

    • The Monarch Center̵7;s summer wilderness program is for troubled youth between the ages 12 and 18. This summer therapy program runs from June 1 through Aug 31. Monarch has one therapist on staff for every two students.

      The summer therapy program takes place in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado in such areas as Rocky Mountain National Park, the Arapahoe National Forest and the Great Sand Dunes National Monument. Group size is limited to ten. Teens spend two weeks on an expedition followed by one week around Georgetown for Family Week. This three-week cycle continues for the duration of the program.

      The Monarch Center operates a private school and credits earned often times transferable to the teens̵7; home school districts. The Monarch Center also offers free Community Challenge workshops on issues facing struggling teens and their families.

      The Monarch Center
      700 Sixth Street
      Address: Box 797
      Georgetown, CO 80444
      Phone: 303 569-0767
      Fax: 303 569-0120
      monarchcentercolorado.com

    Betty Ford Center, Colorado

    • The Betty Ford Center offers a four-day program for young people whose lives have been disrupted by a family member's addiction to alcohol or other drugs. It is offered once a month and runs from Thursday through Sunday. The program costs $400 but no child is turned away because of inability to pay. Scholarships are available.

      The Betty Ford Center in Colorado also offers a Family Day Treatment Program for children age 13 and older.

      Betty Ford Center
      At the Doubletree Hotel Denver-Southeast
      13696 East Iliff Place
      Aurora, CO 80014-1319
      Phone: 303-614-0780
      Fax: 303-337-9691
      [email protected]
      bettyfordcenter.org

    Gates Camp for Boys and Girls Clubs

    • Gates Camp for Boys and Girls Clubs focuses on the "Five Pillars:" Leadership, Enthusiasm, Respect, Cooperation and Honesty. Gates Camp has one-week programs for at risk youth between the ages of 8 and 13.

      Gates Camp is $75 per week. Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver can attend a five-day summer camp for a nominal registration fee of $10. Gates Camp can accommodate youth with ADHD. Activities include crafts, drawing, painting, music, archery, basketball, equestrian and horseback riding, fishing, volleyball, backpacking, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing and survival skills. The camp also has courses in etiquette, leadership, science and animals.

      Gates Camp
      P.O. Box 137
      Ward, CO 80481
      303-443-7394
      [email protected]
      bgcmd.org

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