Boot Camps are military-style institutions, based on forced disciplinary intrusion, designed for the purpose of redirecting troubled teens that have problems with authority. The theory behind the boot camp program is that military-style discipline will teach discipline and structure, mainly via military exercises, and rigorous physical training. The truth is that this type of program rarely works. As a matter of fact, a boot camp style program can turn a molehill of trouble into a mountain of disaster. Through the boot camp experience do learn discipline and structure, but once they leave the confines of the boot camp program they return to their old behaviors with a vengeance. Why? Because there is no internal transformation through forced intrusion. True internal change can only come through a relationship with Jesus Christ. You can tame the flesh by force, but to change the heart it takes Jesus!

To us, a troubled teen is not a thug, a thief, a gangster, a criminal, violent, defiant toward all authority, or any other description that describes someone with a mental disorder. When we use the term "troubled teen" we really mean to describe a "spoiled brat". We mean to describe a kid who has every possible resource available to make something out of him/herself, yet all they want to do is hang out with negative friends and "run their own show". We are referring to kids that have been blessed, gifted, and very talented but are wasting their God-given potential trying to emulate the latest rapper. This kid is only interested in how he/she is viewed by his/her friends, and cares nothing of their parents and how they feel. With these kinds of kids therapy doesn't work, it just makes them worse. Why? Because being a troubled teen is not a mental disorder, and therapy rarely works with kids anyway. Furthermore, this is a spiritual condition, and not a mental health issue. It is also an emotional immaturity issue, and not a lack of therapy. These troubled teens don't need a therapist; they need a sense of reality, they need discipline, and a sense of appreciation for the blessing they have. These kids suffer from the disease of "entitlementitis". Entitlementitis is a disease associated with prolonged exposure to unearned prosperity combined with numerous parental rescues. It comes from living in a society where everything is expected instantaneously, without effort. Entitlementitis can only persist in an environment where accountability is disregarded, and blaming others is always the "special of the day". Entitlementitis is the biggest epidemic since polio, and twice as devastating.

We are a society geared on entertainment. Kids today demand to be entertained at all times and we give it to them. Young kids have it all, video players, Playstation 2s, CD's, DVD's and MP3's. We give them dance lessons, take them to Tae Kwon Do, and buy them anything they want. Unfortunately, by the time they are 12 they have no idea what reality is. They are never satisfied, and always demanding more. We are compelled to buy them happiness. If we think it will make them happy we give it to them. We want our children to be happy so bad that we are willing to destroying them to make them happy. We are taking all the pain out of life, the kind of pain that we all need to go through in order to grow and mature.

These kids need a wake up call. They need discipline, and learn to work hard for what they achieve. They need to stop making excuses, stop blaming others, and take responsibility for the quality of their own life. They need a dose of reality, and they need to grow up. They need to become considerate toward others, exercising compassion for those who are less fortunate. If you prescribe a drug or provide therapy and expect to overcome immaturity, you are fooling yourselves. They need to learn to wait, to serve others, and be trusted and become thankful for all that they have.

There is an answer, and His name is Jesus. God is calling parents of this nation to drawn a line in the sand, and begin to repent from our mistakes and allow Him to restore our children. It is not too late. We can stop the progression of the disease called "entitlementitis!" What we first do is stop what we have been doing for a long time. Stop rescuing your child. Stop giving him/her excuses. Let him/her take responsibility for their choices. It is time to relearn, restore, and redeem what has been lost. We need to get down on our knees and ask for forgiveness and cry out to God for wisdom. We need to come together, as the Body of Christ, and make a clean cut from the ways of the world. We have to surrender, and get ready to make some sacrifices. True prosperity will come to those who seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first. We need to return to the priorities, and that is to live a life surrendered to the will and purpose of God.

Abundant Life Academy is a powerful Christian boarding school for troubled teens. ALA serves the troubled teen that is lying to his/her parents, sneaking out without permission, coming home late, and gets angry when challenged. The typical ALA student is smart, strong-willed, and able to talk him/herself out of trouble. This child is in the grip of some terrible friends who place no value in Christian values and is turning away from his/her parents. ALA is an early-intervention school for the troubled teen who needs immediate redirection.