<p>Need advice on summer enrichment or camp experience for a young man coming out of crisis, at risk to fall back if not kept busy/substance free.</p>
<p>Caregiver will also contact his school guidance office for advice as well, but the folks on this board are so diverse, smart, and helpful, I thought I would throw this out there.</p>
<p>Background is that the boy did very poorly in the 9th and first half of 10th. Was definitely getting into substance abuse. Parents are exhausted and older (Dad is 65), and have not been the greatest parents, but are not completely disconnected and there is good extended family who are helping out. He was also relocated in the 9th grade from his beach community to an area where he has few friends and nothing to do at home. </p>
<p>The family enrolled him in military academy and he is turning the corner, grades way up, has responded to the structure. Finds it difficult but is sticking it out.</p>
<p>If he goes home for the summer, and the parents aren’t vigilant about finding him lots of things to do, or a good job, he will surely be at risk to slip back. He could go to the beach for the summer, but I think hooking up with his surfing buddies and being rather unsupervised is not the thing to do.</p>
<p>So, any suggestions on 3 to 6 week programs that might work for this young man would be appreciated. Something that is military in nature might be too much of the same.</p>
<p>What are his interests? For example, I know of a seven week program for musicians that would be good IF he were interested in music. Looking for something in an area of interest would be the way to go, one would think.</p>
<p>Also, is there a price limit? Some programs cost a lot.</p>
<p>Does he like outdoor kinds of things? Is price or distance an issue? There are quite a number of backpacking type programs for teens that will keep him out of the drug and alcohol culture. My middle son spent 5 weeks at a camp where he went backpacking for 25 days in the Rockies. It was not an Outward Bound challenge program, but a camp for kids who loved being outdoors. It is a YMCA camp. You might want to check out some of those in your area.</p>
<p>A good summer school program might help him catch up and provide him the structure he needs. </p>
<p>I thought first of Camp Darrow, which I remember from knowing the founders (they taught at my elementary school). I see they’re still around–but my experience is about forty years out of date. [Darrow</a> Wilderness Trip Camp](<a href=“http://www.darrowcamp.org/]Darrow”>http://www.darrowcamp.org/)</p>
<p>What about a NOLS course … there will be lots of structure and support for self care- healthy, outdoors, do something challenging. [url=<a href=“http://www.nols.edu/]NOLS[/url”>http://www.nols.edu/]NOLS[/url</a>]</p>
<p>I think a job would be great, but that would mean he would be home with the parents he hasn’t been supervised well by. Also, at some jobs, there are substances or access to people with substances. The home situation has not worked for him, and he probably needs to be away from it for the most part. This is probably part of the reason the military academy seems to have helped him.</p>
<p>Money is not too much of a problem. There are concerned relatives pitching in.</p>
<p>His interests are surfing, boating and fishing. I am seeing if there are any more. No apparent musical ability, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. He’s had no exposure to much in the way of sports, hobbies, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions thus far, Darrow was also PM’ed to me and that looks pretty good. I also like the summer school option, but that means he has to live with someone who is really vigilant and can drive him wherever he needs to go and be available for pickup. Mom and Dad don’t seem to be the people who can do that right now. There are relatives who can take him for 2 and 3 weeks at a time, but give him their full attention then. He might be able to get into a short duration summer class in one of their communities.</p>
<p>Is there a peer group issue at home? Where do you think he is in his recovery? (In our area, there are virtually no jobs for teens, including landscaping.) </p>
<p>NOLS is a great idea. Look at this program, since you mentioned he was interested in boating and fishing. It may be a great fit.</p>
<p>But does he need summer school? I would think that a priority might be to help him remain on track to graduate. Are there credit recovery issues that should be addressed this summer?</p>
<p>We were cross posting. I agree with your gut instinct about the job.</p>
<p>Have you looked into any of the summer programs various military branches have for high school kids? I know the coast guard offers one, not sure if he is old enough for it yet–is he a sophomore or junior?</p>
<p>If you do a search on “summer military camps” several come up. You would have to do some research on them though.</p>