Teen Challenge of Vero Beach | Christian boarding school for troubled boys

Teen Challenge of Vero Beach is a Christian boarding school for troubled boys. At Teen Challenge of Vero Beach we believe in the absolute potential these troubled boys have in Christ. At Teen Challenge Vero Beach we stress the importance of the male Christian role model as one of the most important elements regarding the process of restoration. These troubled teens have not had, or have ignored, the positive influence that a strong man (Christian male) can provide. At Teen Challenge at Vero Beach our student leaders participate in work projects, community service, and outreach projects. The neat thing is that the male adult staff, strong men of God, are right there working alongside of the Teen Challenge students. Our hardworking staff “model” the example set forth for the students, personally involved in projects that include; building structures and homes, landscaping, mechanical work, and various ministry outreach to the community that involves hard work. At Teen Challenge Vero Beach we believe in the foundation of “giving back”. There is nothing more powerful that can positively affect self-identity, self-esteem, and self-worth than giving back through hard work.

“Our staff believe that we are to train up these young men up in the way they should go, being the good example, and believing that as they mature and learn responsibility it will be passed on to those they will eventually lead.”

At Teen Challenge of Vero Beach we believe that troubled boys need more than a church service. Going to church and sitting in a pew only has so much value. Boy’s need to touch, feel, and be physically apart of a ministry. Troubled teens especially want the real truth, and most troubled boys learn experientially. Therefore, we are an experiential program where are students learn by doing. We believe that boys must be engaged in “hands-on Christian service”.

In order to get a real taste of the Power of God our student leaders are taught and led to serve others, care for others, and to give back. And do they ever feel good about giving back. You would be surprised by the complete metamorphous of a young man who learns to serve others. They come to believe in the power of God through real experiences that have tremendous meaning. At Vero Beach, Florida, we believe that our student yearn to see God lived out in their every “day-to-day” life adventures, and there is no better way than to participate in authentic meaningful outreach service. Our student leaders want the real deal and won’t fall for the counterfeit.

When our dedicated staff work hard at serving others, caring for others, lifting others above themselves they set the benchmark. Our students get to see and experience real joy in the lives of our staff as they model “services” and “giving back”. Moreover, for a young man to see how a Godly man acts under pressure (hard work will bring out the best and the worst of us all), how a man repents when he has sinned, and how he treats other people while under duress… it is all powerful living testimonies of God’s redemptive love. These are the life lessons that make an eternal difference. It’s not what we say to our students that count, because they have heard it all. Its what we do, how we act, and how we show up that can make the difference – being a living example. Only then can we teach them about the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ and expect our boys to listen and learn.

“At Teen Challenge of Vero Beach we are not looking for perfection; but they are looking for honesty and sincerity, integrity and accountability. We are looking for everyone, staff and students, to learn the skill sets of responsibility and humility (they are developed through experience), a soft and repenting heart, and the ability to take accountability for yourself and your neighbor in love.”

Family Restoration

Teen Challenge of Vero Beach is a 15-month Christ-centered therapeutic residential boarding schools for troubled boys. Boys need this time to make real life long changes. But we are also very committed to “family restoration”. We insist that several times throughout the students' stay that his parents to come and join in, hand’s on; parents receive instruction and counseling in leadership, mentorship, and Christian parenting theories. It is required that parents attend a minimum of three sessions during the 15-months; Teen Challenge of Vero Beach is a family affair. We believe in not only helping each young man find wholeness, but to also see restoration and reconciliation with his family as well. These “Family Days” are also wonderful opportunities for loved ones to see our campus, meet our staff, and fellowship with other families in similar situations.

“Teen Challenge at Vero Beach is designed to encourage the student to cope with everyday life issues (self-restraint, self-accountability, self-discipline). These every day issues are very important in the long run, and way too many troubled teens dismiss these little elements of life as if they don’t matter….”

We believe that our student leaders should engage in the process of developing “daily disciplines”. We believe in “discipline” so much that we feel as though it a vital part of anyone’s potential restoration. Therefore, discipline is a very important aspect of success for life. Our students typically rise between 5:45 and 6:15am, and they go right into taking care of their room, hygiene, and go into devotions, Bible reading, and/or Chapel service. Of course it goes without saying they eat breakfast…. This is a great way to start the day, and a way to prepare the mind and heart to make a new habit to approach “life successfully”.

These essential daily discipline elements of the program (daily chores, devotional, and structure), as well as discipleship training opportunities that they have each day build a strong foundation which produces a sense of direction, sense of purpose, and a strong sense of safety. It’s because of our disciplines each day that the student comes to a place of trusting others, and feeling safe to grow, to question “life”, and to “find answers” to their purpose here on earth. In a safe environment troubled teens become strong leaders who operate with integrity, poise, and purpose.

Academics

Of course the educational program is also a very important part of every day life at Vero Beach. When we properly education our students we give them a substantial gift that can never be taken away. Through our dedication to a powerful mastery-based educational program our students regain a vision for their future and a taste of their destiny. Having caught up academically (grade repair and credit recovery) our students have more of a reason to succeed when they go home. After they have graduated from the Teen Challenge program a solid academic goal/plan is the best and greatest transition back into the real world. Without the education and there is no hope, therefore our focus on academic excellence and success is paramount.

Free time and Extracurricular Activities

As anyone can tell you that down time is not good for troubled teens. Therefore, at Teen Challenge Vero Beach there is generally very little free or unsupervised time. There is structured free time where the students are supervised and coached continuously. Unstructured free time has been found to be a hindrance to the successful progress of the student. However, we do teach the students to take responsibility for their entire day, including structured activities. The list of things they can do during “down time” is vast, always positive, and productive. More importantly, they are required to take charge of the down time and to be proactive with their schedule. Some day they will be out of the program and they need to learn to avoid “unstructured” and “unplanned” downtime because our staff won’t be there to make these decisions for them. How we approach downtime is all-apart of the learn experience and very important to the overall success of our program. Moreover, our students are encouraged to participate in a variety of work assignments each day, and playtime is just as important (These students are boys so our motto is “Work hard and Play hard”). Again, Teen Challenge of Vero Beach is an experiential program and the students are engaged in healthy pro-social activities at all times. This full day of activity normally ends between 10:00 and 10:30pm.

Mealtime

Food to growing boys is as important as air and shelter. Therefore, mealtime is very important to the Teen Challenge Vero Beach program. We provide three healthy and hearty meals each the day along with healthy snacks between meals.  The mealtime is healthy, vital, and essential to the emotional bonding among the young men, adding a special element of thanksgiving and appreciation – togetherness in the Spirit of Unity.

Leadership Training and the Teen Challenge Curriculum

In the early phase of the program we teach from the Teen Challenge accredited Curriculum. Basically, we begin with “Group Studies for New Christians”. We figure we might as well build a strong foundation on “what we believe as believers in Christ”. This curriculum covers many of the basic issues regarding discipleship, basic Christian living, and character development. Moreover, our students can choose to participate in “Personal Studies for New Christians”. These are mentor agreements (contracts) that the new students may enter when making a personal declaration and a commitment to discipleship.

In the latter phases of a students program, student leaders will be involved in more in-depth Bible study and issues basic to daily Christian living. These are teaching based on a Biblical worldview. The classes provide instruction on practical Christian living, intensive bible studies on topics meaningful to teens, and the responsibility of the believer has to the Christian community and beyond. 

Upon successful graduation our strong students leaders are prepared to step out into various educational and ministry opportunities. We steer them toward their in local community colleges, universities, and local Christian ministries. We believe that they need to be plugged into a powerful “plan” before they depart Vero Beach. The after graduation plan is just as important as every element from day one. Although pursuing higher education has obvious benefits for any individual, it is vital that the Church has a place for those in the after care process. Continuing involvement in the local church is critical to the on-going development of any believer, especially those who have come through the battleground of addiction.

Pastor Maynard Sweigard has been involved with Teen Challenge since 1973. From early adolescence until he entered Rehrersburg Teen Challenge in Pennsylvania, Maynard Sweigard was addicted to drugs and alcohol. In 1974, he graduated from Rehrersburg and entered Teen Challenge Ministry Institute, which was started by David Wilkerson, the founder of Teen Challenge.

Pastor Sweigard went on to pastor two churches and serve as Chaplain at the Indian River County Jail. While in Bible College, Maynard met his future wife, Barbara. They married in May of 1975. Maynard and Barbara have raised two sons, Nathan and Aaron. Both of his sons work full-time here at Teen Challenge of Vero Beach.

Pastor Maynard is the founding director of Teen Challenge of Vero Beach.  The doors of Vero Beach Teen Challenge opened in April, 2001. It was a real hardship to get the property and campus to the state it is today, but through hard work, prayer, and giving all they Sweigard’s had the campus has been transformed. Pastor Sweigard, starting with a run-down property has built this campus into an amazingly beautiful work of God… and it is exactly what happens to the troubled teens that enter our doors every day.

The overgrown driveways are now lined with palm trees, and the campus is beautiful.  Pastures are occupied with livestock, a school and chapel have been built, and the boys have a gym to workout in.  There are sports fields, pavilions, commercial swimming pool, and a basketball court.  But with any program for troubled boys there is always more work to be done, and the Sweigard’s look forward to the next gift from God to add to the complex. They are proud of the transformation of the campus has taken on over the years, especially due to the fact that the campus transformation is the exact replica of most boys go through when they complete the program. They come in with a mess and leave restored and bright, ready for more growth and life long prosperity.

The most important thing to the Sweigard’s is not the campus, and all the beauty therein…. it is that lives are being changed through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!

Why Teen Challenge at Vero Beach?

If you are looking for an organization that has a proven track record of providing “life transformation”, then Vero Beach Teen Challenge is the place. If you are looking for an adolescent boarding school that has been tested over time, then Vero Beach Teen Challenge is your school. If you are looking for long-term residential “life care” for a troubled boy struggling with self-defeating issues then look no further. If you are looking for a place that will enhance a teen boy’s life management skills, teach them to be responsible, hold themselves accountable, and be self-directed then Teen Challenge of Vero Beach is the special place where “Life Transformation Happens!”

“At Vero Beach we provided in a disciplined, warm, loving Christian environment… where Jesus is the only answer!

Please take your time to review the information you find on this web page, and of course take some time to pray and ask God for guidance. If after prayer you believe that we can assist you, pick up the phone and give us a call (888-494-9077). We are here to serve those who are in need of life transformation.

Contact US

When contacting a Teen Challenge Vero Beach for assistance it is important that the individual who is seeking help contact an admissions specialist. There is an application, as well as other necessary paper work; along with an interview… all these things must take place in order to properly serve you. A health screening is also required. In the event it is determined that Vero Beach is not a good fit we can help you by making a referral to a more suitable school, program, or center.

Teen Challenge would welcome the opportunity to discuss your needs and how we might assist you.