For some troubled teens, teen boot camps have been the much-needed answer to their self-destructive behaviour. When other options like grounding, revoked privileges, detentions, family counseling, one-on-one therapy, even self-help and parenting books yield no decrease in the harmful habits of troubled teens, families have turned towards teen boot camps across Canada as a radical solution. Read more
These places help at-risk teens gain life skills and perspective through programming tailored to their needs. Camps here may have professionally-trained leaders and professionally-developed curriculum designed specifically to support them.
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FEATURED
St. Jude’s Academy Our Family of Schools Camps Mississauga; Orangeville
Our Family of School Camps offer an exciting array of fun, activity-based programs for campers of all ages. Camps provide opportunities for exploration, creativity and personal growth within a positive atmosphere. Read more...
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Sharbot Lake
An amazing summer camp experience for campers with special needs. All the fun of camp, with supportive and experienced staff to give your camper the summer of their life! The focus is on fun first! Read more...
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Markland Wood, Toronto
Arts-focused camps, classes and workshops supporting a creative learning environment where children, teens and families are encouraged to explore and enrich their lives through the arts. Read more...
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Kelowna; Shawnigan Lake; Squamish
Easter Seals camps are for children and adults (6-49) with physical and cognitive disabilities. With fully accessible facilities and specially trained staff, our programs can accommodate campers with all abilities. Read more...
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Port Moody
Camps, classes and preschool that are Active, Creative, and a Mix of Indoor and Outdoor! From lake days to art/drama classes, abacus math to music - we have a balanced curriculum that keeps the kids engaged. Read more...
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Mississauga; Oakville
Get the kids cooking and learning more life skills! Our program has both virtual and in-person options! The kids are loving cooking together to make tasty foods for their family. Read more...
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Minden
A central Ontario summer camp for families and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The KOC is located in Minden, Ontario. Situated on 600 hectares of land nestled in the forest along the shores of Grey Lake. Read more...
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These camps and programs may have a general population of teens, while also offering an environment where kids with struggles can find some support.
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FEATURED
GTA Mavericks Basketball Association Thornhill; Vaughan
GTA Mavericks offers year round programming including summer camps, house leagues and rep teams while also providing additional programs such as Private Training, Skill development sessions, Parent-Player shootarounds. Read more...
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FEATURED
Bloor West Village, Toronto; High Park, Toronto
Blend of 5 flavors in our Kids Coding & Robotics Camp in Toronto! Learn to Code, Learn to build: Robotics & Circuits, Outdoor play:Logic Games & a field trip to a tech company! Never a dull moment in our camps & programs Read more...
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FEATURED
Minden
Kandalore is one of the finest overnight camps in Canada, providing the best of both canoe tripping and in-camp activities. For over 75 years, Kandalore has given campers the chance to get to know and be themselves. Read more...
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FEATURED
Bayview Village, Toronto; North Toronto, Toronto; Calgary; Vancouver
Our coed summer sports camps are geared toward kids ages 4-18 of all abilities and skill levels. From beginner to elite, there is a camp option for everyone. Improve Your Skills & Have SERIOUS FUN at Sports Camps Canada! Read more...
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FEATURED
InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Ontario Huntsville
InterVarsity Pioneer Camp Ontario is a Christian Summer Camp and Outdoor Education & Retreat Centre located in Ontario, offering programs for children, youth, and students. Read more...
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FEATURED
Minden
For more than 100 years Onondaga Camp has provided an inclusive environment where young people can play, explore, achieve and grow. Offering over 30 different activities, there is something for everyone! Read more...
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FEATURED
Cambridge; Oakville
YMCA of Oakville Child and Youth Programs and Summer Day Camps are offered at several locations across the community with activities including swimming, day trips and more. Learn more! Read more...
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FEATURED
WillowWood School Camp and Summer School Don Mills, Toronto
WillowWood offers 3 different summer programs: camps for Grades 1-6, skills programs for Gr. 7-9 and high school credits for students in Grades 9-12. Read more...
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FEATURED
InterVarsity Circle Square Ranch Big Clear Lake Hamilton; Huntsville; Land O' Lakes Tourist Region; Western Lanark County
Circle Square Ranch is a life changing Christian summer camp for youth 6-16. We offer a wide range of activities including horseback riding, water activities and climbing. Your summer adventure with friends starts here! Read more...
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FEATURED
Davenport, Toronto
Do you have a PERFORMER on your hands? Our week-long camps will explore the world of the performing arts! From commercial, TV & film acting to stage performances and musicals! Read more...
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FEATURED
YMCA of Southwestern Ontario Overnight Camps Leamington; London; Port Severn
The YMCA of Southwestern Ontario offers two amazing overnight camps for campers aged 5-16 - YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth (CQE) in Georgian Bay Islands National Park and YMCA Camp Henry in Point Pelee National Park. Read more...
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Brockville; Kingston; Prescott and Russell
We offer a full range of youth rec programs such as basketball, cycling, karate, swimming & school-break & summer day camps. These are offered in safe environments to help children develop self-esteem & confidence. Read more...
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Annex, Toronto; Vaughan
Summer band camp, community music programs & private in-home/online lessons. Learn to make music while building confidence, creativity and leadership skills. Book a free trial with a Rockstar instructor today! Read more...
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Ottawa; Renfrew
We are a small camp with a spectacular community of campers and staff. We focus on having a great time building interpersonal skills and connecting with each other in a fantastic natural setting. Read more...
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Sharbot Lake
Founded in 1924, Oconto is a traditional girls overnight camp located on the beautiful shores of Eagle Lake north of Kingston, Ontario. Over 20 activities are offered on 80 acres of land and 2km of shoreline. Read more...
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Don Mills, Toronto; York Mills, Toronto
Located centrally in Toronto, this summer camp boasts ample outdoor greenspace, a full size turf sports field, and air conditioned buildings. They offer specialized sports, arts, and coding/robotics camps. Read more...
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Neighbour Note Music Camps & Lessons Bloor West Village, Toronto; High Park, Toronto
Toronto's premier camps run by University Professors, TDSB Teachers, and extraordinary Musicians! (PhD, DMA). Our Rock Band camp instructor performed for over 10 000 people when his band opened for KISS in Mexico City! Read more...
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Burlington; Midland
All Girls Wellness & Leadership camp/programs led by professional coaches, chefs & teachers. Featuring Cooking, Adventure, Creative Arts, Horses, Spa and Self Care, Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Emotional Inteligence! Read more...
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Forest Hill, Toronto
Develop discipline, strength, and confidence in an encouraging environment with passionate staff! Year-Round Martial Arts Classes, Camps, Kids Programs, Tutoring and more! All levels welcome! PLUS - Free childcare! Read more...
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Temagami
An experience kids love. A family parents trust. Wabikon is sleepover camp for boys and girls ages 6-17. Campers from around the world feel like part of the family and enjoy activities on a challenge-by-choice basis. Read more...
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Haliburton Highlands
A co-ed camp offering Overnight Kids Camp, Day Camp and year-round Family Camps. We offer leadership development, a wide range of activities, tripping, a sense of belonging and fun. Come have the time of your life! Read more...
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Ross Creek Centre for the Arts Canning
SummerArts combines the best of camp with the best of the arts! We offer great food, a full rec schedule, campfire, and a core of incredible arts programming, all set on a beautiful campus overlooking the Bay of Fundy. Read more...
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Vancouver
A STEM / STEAM maker academy for kids. Read more...
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Ottawa
uOttawa Engineering Outreach offers a wide range of programs in engineering, science, technology, and coding for both kids and teens. From summer camps to clubs and afterschool programs, as well as credited courses. Read more...
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Bancroft
Cedar Ridge Camp is a wonderful place where campers have the opportunity to get outside and develop friendships. Read more...
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Throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario (8)
Scouting isn't an activity or setting—it's a discovery. It helps youth prepare for the real world, by exploring the world. Alongside friends, Scouts cultivate skills that will guide them through every stage of life. Read more...
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Kitchener; Sauble Beach
Find your next adventure here. Now offering Adventures Day Camps in 4 locations across Ontario plus Overnight and Day Camp in Sauble Beach. Read more...
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Montreal
A unique team sports camp, simulating the career of professional athletes! Sports include: ice hockey, flag/touch football, basketball, soccer, baseball, ball hockey and much more! Read more...
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Forest Hill, Toronto
Forest Hill Taekwondo offers traditional summer camp sessions and year round Taekwondo programming for students (as young as 2.5 to adults) to help build & foster their physical, mental & emotional well-being. Read more...
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St Lawrence, Toronto
Led by our experienced faculty of professional artist educators, we’re offering a wide selection of classes for toddlers to teens. Read more...
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Oakville
At Sylvan Learning of Oakville, we offer tutoring and enrichment in JK-Gr. 12 math, reading, and writing, as well as homework support, SAT and additional test prep courses and more. Read more...
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Bloor West Village, Toronto; East York, Toronto; Haliburton
Ontario's leading nature connection organization, offering year-round outdoor education programs for children and youth. Time in nature makes kids happier and healthier. Join us to learn, play and grow in nature! Read more...
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Ottawa
The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees pride ourselves in offering a wide variety of bilingual sport camps to youth in the Ottawa and Gatineau area. Read more...
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Bay Street Corridor, Toronto; East York, Toronto
Create, Compose, Design, Perform! Explore music and the performing arts through our innovative and engaging Summer Music Camps held at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts! Read more...
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Orillia
Since 1912! Sparrow Lake Camp is a traditional Co-Ed Summer Camp where all are welcome, all are valued, and all belong. Overnight camps for kids 6-16, as well as our friends and family 'Holiday Camp' for all ages! Read more...
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Don Valley Village, Toronto; North Toronto, Toronto; Algonquin Park; Kananaskis; Vancouver Island
Outward Bound Canada provides challenging adventures in the outdoors across the country that develop self-respect, awareness of others, interpersonal skills, and a sense of accomplishment. Read more...
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Throughout Ontario, Quebec (24)
Montreal, North & South Shore, and West Island's #1 Lifestyle Summer day camp! We blend education & specialty training in arts, sports and more! Weekly program for kids ages 3 - 15! Registration opens January 2nd 2023! Read more...
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With little luxury in the barracks, “tough love” attitude from the drill sergeants, and military-style physical conditioning, teen boot camps are often used as disciplinary measures when a troubled teen has committed a particularly offensive act or as a way for parents to make their teen appreciate their home life. The experience is not easy, so before you send your troubled teen to a boot camp, you need to decide if all other options have been exhausted, and that your teen will be able to make it through the grueling demands of the program. Fortunately, it is likely they will. Researchers have found that 75%-95% of teen boot camp participants completed the course, and many displayed improvements in reading and math skills, even found jobs after leaving the boot camp facilities.
In the United States, "troubled teens" has become its own privatized industry, and this includes teen boot camps. In Canada, however, the government pays much closer attention to schools and camps that deal specifically with troubled teens. Therefore, Canadian families can rest assured that those who instruct at teen boot camps across the country are respected professionals who have the training to deal with upset teens that most parents lack. This can also include educators, psychologists, drug counselors, and vocational trainers, who are more and more frequently being added to the staff at teen boot camps as longer-term, more rehabilitative programs become evermore popular. As always however, it is important to ask each program about their philosophy, curriculum and learning, financial aid and accreditations. A useful list of questions to ask is available here.
The decision to send a child to such an intimidating environment as a teen boot camp must be made carefully, but there are definite benefits that a teen can reap from their experience there:
Their fitness increases
A tangible benefit is an improvement in fitness and health from the physical exercises a teen must complete with the rest of the group and the nutritional food they’re given.
They can escape their harmful environment
Teen boot camps are drug-and-alcohol free zones, and the complete removal of these dangerous temptations can often cut harmful habits permanently. Also, without the negative influences of friends or significant others a troubled teen may have acquired no longer wield control over a teen’s behaviour, leaving room for a councilor’s supportive advice.
They develop self-worth and confidence
Teens at boot camp are given many difficult tasks to accomplish, and giving up when the going gets tough is not an option accepted by drill sergeants. Teens are constantly pushed to their limits, far beyond what they ever thought they could accomplish. The completion of daily tasks, culminating in finishing the entire program, results in newfound feelings of pride and self-respect, which often leads to higher motivation to reflect on their passions and feelings, set goals for their future, and make wiser choices in their home life. The process of accepting and facing their past mistakes, as is essential in the success of a teen boot camp, is also helpful in a teen moving forward in their life post-camp.
They learn mutual respect
While a troubled teen may be self-centred at home, teen boot camp forces them to work in a team setting. This new environment not only helps forge lasting friendships, it lets the participants know they are not alone in their problems. They learn to build trust and rely on others to supplement their weaknesses, which is something many troubled teens find difficult. But most importantly they learn how their actions affect those around them, and appreciate the feelings of others.
They gain a new perspective
Being catapulted so far out of their comfort zone at a boot camp makes a teen realize what they love about being at home. They recognize the love of their family, and the privilege they have to live with freedom and independent thought. At a teen boot camp, teens can reflect on their current situations from a new perspective, which can lead to a much happier, more appreciative family life at home.
How many Teen boot camps: the benefits are there?
There are 44 Teen boot camps: the benefits that are Our Kids trusted members. Use the filters to narrow options by age or type, then click on each organization to read reviews, browse program schedules, and access registration details.
What are the fees to attend Teen boot camps: the benefits?
Fees for Teen boot camps: the benefits range from FREE to $7,325 per program (program types and lengths vary). Use the filters here to narrow programs by age and type.
What age do Teen boot camps: the benefits start at?
There are programs available for children starting at age 1. Family and adult programs are also available.
Canadian Adventure Camp provides an ideal immersive overnight camp experience. [Read more]
At STEM Camp, your child will participate in fun activities while preparing for their future. [Read more]
Canlan Sports summer hockey camps. [Read more]
The STEAM Project offers hands-on, exciting learning activities. [Read more]
Amici aims to send as many kids to overnight camp as possible, especially those who wouldn’t normally be able to go. We can’t think of a worthier and more admirable goal. [Read more]
Founded in 2007, Kids in Camp is a charitable organization run by past and current camp directors and owners. [Read more]
They can read, but when it comes to functional literacy—expressing ideas, crafting arguments—some feel that students could, and should, be doing better. [Read more]
