Frequently Asked Questions.
Q. How do I apply for my teen to be considered for your UK Teen group camps or on the One to One Camp in the UK & Spain
Our Process
1) To apply for a place please complete our online Application Form. If you are successful then you will be required to make payment in full to secure the place.
Q. How long have Teencamps-UK been running camps?
A. I ran my first camp in October 2008 and have been running programmes since then.
Q. What kind of experience do you have in with working with Young People?.
A. I am a teen Counsellor, Psychotherapist, Life-skills, Behaviourist, Mentor and Mediator with over 3000 hours of face to face counselling. My expertise is in working with teenagers, parents and families using counselling, life skills coaching, mentoring and family mediation. I have over 24 years of experience working with teens.
Courses I have attended-
IMHEP Training
QAQ Mediation Training
Three Faiths Training
Allegations Training
Working with Gangs and Challenging Behaviour
Bullying Awareness Training
Eating Disorders/Awareness
Self Harming
Misuse of Substances
Child Awareness Levels 1 and 2
Domestic Violence
Bereavement and Loss
Anger Management
Mental Health Awareness
Working with Young People
Diversity Awareness
Working with Diversity
Suicide Awareness Training
Q. Many good teens, that make bad choices and end up in trouble, often are not supported or are from dis-functional families, which inflame the situations. As most teens have not reached the age of majority the parents are still culpable, so how do you deal with the families/parents?
A. For the time that the young person is away on the programme it is very important that the family (i.e. parents, care-givers) are willing to change the way that they relate to the young person. If the parents are unwilling to change their ways and behaviours then the programme will have very little benefit. The written report (optional extra) that I offer will give guidance, pointers, techniques and tools in managing the young persons behaviour going forward. I can also offer ongoing sessions via Skype as an optional extra.
Q. What is the difference between your Camps and the American camps?. Is 7-14 days enough time?
A. On the American programme the Counsellor/ Therapist is only there to work for a maximum of 2 hours per day. The difference is that I focus on the therapy and behavioural aspect with the individual. I am with the young person from the time they arrive to the time they leave. I work with teens therapeutically (either covertly or overtly) throughout their time with me so therefore if at 10.00pm or 3.00am sat around a campfire watching the stars is the right time for the young person to talk and open up then I am there to work with them. My programme runs from a minimum 7 days, however, I have had young people for up to 12 weeks.
Q. Are Teens from other countries accepted at your camp?.
A. Most definitely. I accept applications for young people from all over the world.
Q. What type of young people can you help?
A. Our young people could best be described as "good children who are making bad decisions and choices". Teencamps-UK is especially helpful to troubled teens who may struggle with a variety of emotional and behavioural concerns including family issues, loss and bereavement, addictions and relationships.
Q. Why should my teen attend your Camps?
A. Teencamps-UK is the first step in helping to find a new way to manage your teen.
Teens can feel vulnerable and daunted by the thought of attending a programme, however, attending a programme should not be seen as a punishment but rather as an opportunity for them to be away from everything for a short period and to work with someone who is there to listen, support and (if needed) to challenge them in order to help them with their behaviour.
This will enable them to deal with the things that are causing their problems in a more positive and constructive way so that both they and their family can move forward.
Q. How would I get my teen to attend your camp?
A. Nearly all families who enquire about my camps have concerns on how to get their teen to attend.
I would advise that you ask your teen how much their family means to them and what would they be willing to do to try to make things better. if they answer "I'll do anything" or "I'm not sure, don't know or don't care" then you can take the opportunity to explain to them that you would like them to attend for both of your benefit, to be able to move forward in the future.
Q. Why should we trust you with our young person?.
A. I have a current up to date enhanced DBS check and have been working with young people and vulnerable adults for over 23 years. All our volunteers also have a current up to date enhanced DBS check .
Q. Can we have contact with our young person on the programme?.
A. Due to our remote field location, telephone calls are generally not permitted as this would break the continuity of the programme, however, you may contact me weekly by phone or text and either I will update you on your young persons progress or you may be able to talk to your young person, if they wish to do so.
Q. Is there any financial help available to fund your programme?
A. Unfortunately there is no external financial help available that we are aware of.
Q. How long do most young people stay?
A. The minimum stay is 7 days, however, the average stay can be up to 14 days or longer. Some young people may need, or want, to stay longer, depending on how quickly they respond to the programme.
Q. How can I make the payment if my application is successful ?
A. All payments can be made by BACS.