Old Rochester Regional Junior High Principal Kevin Brogioli wants to take troubled teens to the school of hard rocks.

Brogioli is proposing a two-day wilderness camp to give troubled eigth grade boys an opportunity to build trust and critical thinking skills, as well as assisting their transition to high school.

“I have identified a group of male students that had some discipline issues on a regular basis last year,” said Brogioli. “Some have respect issues. Some have issues of authority.”

Much like the school’s Survival Week, in which seventh graders spend a week roughing it in the great outdoors, the new camp would be a “Mini-Survival” where the students could connect with school leaders and each other.

Accompanying Brogioli as chaperones will be the High School’s Assistant Principal, the school resource officer and Mattapoisett Police Officer Mitchell Suzan.

“I talked to the students individually, and they were all interested,” said Brogioli, who wants to offer the camp at little to no cost for students. “I really do believe deep down that this is going to benefit them and benefit the school.”

High School Principal Mike Devoll agreed.

“I think the High School stands to benefit tremendously by having the Assistant Principal meet students. Whatever I can do to support this, I’m all for it,” he said.

Terri Hamm, Director of Student Services emphasized that many of the kids are doing their best but may need a new environment to succeed.

“We’ve got some kids who are disengaged for one reason or another. This could be a way to engage,” she said.

Brogioli presented his plans for the camp at the ORR School Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 12. While the group approved the camp unanimously, several members asked that the teens also be encouraged to give back.

Committee member James O’Brien said volunteering at the school could be a good option.

“So at least they can understand and pay it forward by helping with something,” O'Brien said.

Brogioli hopes to hold the camp at the end of September.