STRUGGLING TEEN PROFILE

CanAdventure Education camps are most appropriate for struggling teen-agers who are demonstrating negative behaviour patterns but express a sincere desire to turn things around. Struggling teen applicants will only be enrolled on a voluntary basis -candidates who are strongly opposed to attending will not be admitted.

Previous wilderness experience is not required. Appropriate ages are from 13-19 and most programs are co-educational.

Candidates may be exhibiting the following behaviours in their home environment:
~Major changes in image and personality
~Gravitation to a negative peer group
~Defiance and opposition to authority
~Low self-esteem
~Rebelliousness
~Displays of anger/rage/frustration
~Unreasonableness
~Failing in school
~Lack of motivation/confidence
~Engaging in minor illegal activities
~Extreme selfishness
~Lying
~Experimentation with drugs or alcohol
~Promiscuity
~Body image issues
~Sudden decline in grades, attendance, or attitude

While many teens may display these behaviours, the CanAdventure Education screening process identifies candidates who are appropriate for our struggling teen camps.

In addition, some struggling teen candidates appropriate for CanAdventure Education programming may have been diagnosed with disorders such as:
~Oppositional Defiant Disorder
~Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
~Depression
~Bipolar Disorder (if managed by medication)
~Mild eating disorder
~Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
~Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (mild or managed by medication)

Family issues may include :
~Adoption
~Divorce
~Death
~Abuse (physical, verbal, sexual)
~Extreme sibling rivalry

Academic histories vary, but may include:
~Sudden decline in grades, attendance, or attitude
~Learning disabilities (mild to moderate with some compensatory skills)
~History of disruptive behaviour in the classroom
~Poor organizational/study skills
~Lack of motivation

Exclusions:
Due to safety considerations, the following exclusions must apply:
~Severe chronic depression
~Suicide risk
~Severe eating disorders
~Psychosis
~Antisocial Personality Disorder
~Extensive history of physical agression
~Intermittent Explosive Disorder
~Multiple Personality Disorder
~Dissociative Disorder
~Severe self-mutilation
~Pyromania
~Physical drug dependency (require advance de-tox)
~Severe obesity
~Pregnancy

Due to the program's highly physical nature, students with substantial physical limitations or challenges would not be well served by CanAdventure Education programs.

Please contact us with any questions.