Wilderness Therapy

• At first glance wilderness therapy may appear like summer camp, but it often begins the recovery process in fewer than 90 days. Teens partake in vigorous physical exercise by pitching their own tents, finding firewood, cooking their food and hiking on trails every day. A certified counselor leads small counseling sessions, where he will teach teenagers methods such as journaling, stress reduction and enjoying nature (Reference 1). Aspen Achievement Academy integrates an academic curriculum with its wilderness therapy so that teenagers may study reading, math or social studies in outdoor classrooms, and work on self-reliance and inner strength (Resource 1).
  
  

Therapeutic Boarding Schools

• These boarding schools provide a rigid structure similar to regular boarding schools, but they also feature therapy and 12-step meetings for teens who need addiction treatment. Adolescents remain active, with a full schedule of vigorous physical activities, academics, homework and counseling sessions. During group therapy sessions, teenagers will learn to support each other and hold each other accountable. They begin to understand their addiction and their triggers so as not to drink or use drugs again (Reference 1). Sunhawk Academy in Utah features a fully accredited curriculum for middle school and high school students and provides individual, group and family counseling sessions, 12-step meetings, and recreational activities such as a ropes course (Resources 2).
  
  

Behavior Modification

• The World Wide Association of Specialty Programs (WWASP) features programs for teens that are struggling with issues at home. WWASP offers a guarantee that if a teen completes one of her residential programs and starts acting up again, she may reenter the program for free for 60 days. Each WWASP program uses a six-tier behavior modification system, in which the first three focus on learning the rules of the program, and tiers four through six work on the teen setting goals and achieving greater responsibility (Reference 2). Cross Creek Manor in Utah offers residential programs for boys and girls at separate camps, where they are immersed in educational videos, group therapy sessions and daily living skills to assist in behavior modification. Teens also have blocks of time each day for studying, journaling and exploring nature (Resource 3).
  
  

Weight Loss

• Some teens struggle with keeping a healthy weight at home, surrounded by too much fast food and processed food. They may lose weight fast and learn healthier eating habits at a weight-loss camp. Camp Shane in New York teaches teenagers and young women how to eat healthy portions of food and select filling foods to indulge in from time to time. Teens attend cooking lessons to learn how to prepare healthy and delicious meals. They apply cognitive behavior therapy by keeping a food and exercise journal, which makes them more aware of their habits (Reference 3).
  
  

After-Care

• After teens leave a residential program, it is often beneficial that they stay in contact with a support system. They should join a family support group, where they can convene with other teens who were in a program with them or another program. Teens and their families meet and share their successe stories and support each other in times of need (Reference 2).