Camps for troubled teens and youth

The teenage years can be a challenging time. Many teens struggle with school, relationships, and other aspects of life. For some kids, though, adolescence is especially troublesome.

Luckily, there are many camps for troubled teens and youth across Canada (there are also schools for troubled teens). While most of these are summer camps, some also offer winter programs for troubled teens as well. And there are also both overnight and day options as well.

Troubled teens

While all teens experience some growing pains, for some, these years are a particularly difficult adjustment. Troubled teens experience problems that go beyond the norm. Their problems tend to be more intense, persistent, and can lead to unpredictable behaviour.

Most troubled teens have problems at school and at home, as well as in their peer and family relationships. Many also develop serious emotional or behavioural disorders during adolescence:

• Clinical depression
• Clinical anxiety
• Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
• Passive-aggressive disorder
• Conduct disorder
• Kleptomania
• Schizophrenia

They may also encounter other distressing issues as well:

• Drug and alcohol problems
• Eating disorders
• Criminal behaviour
• Violent behaviour
• Suicidal tendencies

What camps for troubled teens have to offer

Troubled teen camps, also known as “therapeutic camps,” are intended to help. They offer specialized programs for teens or youth who struggle with one or more of these serious issues.

Some troubled teen camps focus on one particular kind of disorder or issue, such as anxiety or ODD. Others provide support for a wide range of issues.

But, what kind of support do these camps offer? This, of course, will depend on the particular kinds of behavioural and emotional issues the camp specializes in.

But in general, camps for troubled teens tend to offer a diverse range of programs and services. These are meant to support and benefit teens and youth who are really struggling with life.

• Psychiatry
• Psychotherapy or personal counselling
• Social work
• Recreation, including therapeutic recreation
• Support persons, groups, and networks
• Sports and fitness facilities
• Discipline training
• Health and wellness training
• Leadership training
• Traditional camp activities

Kinds of troubled teen camps

Each camp will have its own focus and areas of expertise. Keep this in mind as you’re searching for the right camp for your troubled child. In making your choice, you should also consider your child's age, gender, personality, challenges, disorders, interests, abilities, and more.

There are boys, girls, and coed troubled teen camps. And these camps use a myriad of approaches. For instance, there are boot camps and military camps for troubled teens. This includes boot camps for boys and girls. There are also wilderness programs, which offer outdoor education and exploration for troubled youth.

Below, find a list of camps in Canada for troubled teens and youth. Click on a camp to learn more about it, including its programs, cost, and session dates.