Topic: Parenting
Target Population: Parents
Sector: Community-Based
Military Sector: Air Force, Army, Navy
This program is for expectant fathers.
Boot Camp for New Dads®, also known as Daddy Boot Camp®, is a community-based parenting education workshop that is designed to provide advice and encouragement, address fears and concerns, and instill confidence for expectant fathers.
No peer-reviewed publications evaluating the effectiveness of this program were located.
Workshops bring together veteran and rookie fathers and focus on providing opportunities for expectant dads to ask questions, voice concerns, interact with babies, learn about basic baby care, and engage in discussion. Veteran fathers answer questions and share personal experiences. Coaches provide education about parenting topics and facilitate discussion. The workshop includes the following:
This workshop is also offered in Spanish, and this program follows the same curriculum as the Boot Camp for New Dads workshop; however, it emphasizes transforming current Latino traditions into a new culture.
A live, online, interactive workshop is also available and includes an interactive online e-Guide called “Welcome to Fatherhood.”
Boot Camp for New Dads was founded in 1990. Since that time, more than 500,000 men have graduated from 260 programs that have been implemented in 45 states; on U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force bases; and in Canada and the United Kingdom.
The program is moderated by trained instructors who do not need to have specialized education or experience. Training options include a 2-day online coach training and a 2-day in-person Master Coach Training, which is held at the National Boot Camp Training Center in Denver, Colorado. Please use details in the Contact section for more information on training.
Considerations for implementing this program include understanding implementing facilities must receive licensure from the developers, obtaining funds for the licensure (sample grant application models for funding are available to assist facilities), recruiting coaches and ensuring they receive training, recruiting veteran fathers and their babies, acquiring participant buy-in, and locating available space to hold the sessions.
The Clearinghouse can help address these considerations. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
If you are interested in implementing Boot Camp for New Dads, the Clearinghouse is interested in helping you!
Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
The Boot Camp for New Dads workshop is presented for fathers 1 to 2 months prior to the birth of their first baby. The workshop is 3 hours, and each segment (i.e. facilitated discussion, small group) lasts 1 hour.
A one-time fee for facility licensure and start-up materials costs $1,000. Please use details in the Contact section for more information.
To move Boot Camp for New Dads to the Promising category on the Clearinghouse Continuum of Evidence, at least one evaluation should be performed demonstrating positive effects lasting at least six months from program completion.
The Clearinghouse can help you to develop an evaluation plan to ensure the program components are meeting your goals. Please call 1-877-382-9185 or email Clearinghouse@psu.edu
Contact the Clearinghouse with any questions regarding this program.
Phone: 1-877-382-9185 Email: Clearinghouse@psu.edu
You may also contact Boot Camp for New Dads by mail 200 Spectrum Center Drive, Ste. 300, Irvine, CA 92618, phone 1-949-754-9067, fax 1-949-754-9087, or visit https://www.bootcampfornewdads.org/
Bishop, G., & Ault, C. (2002). Boot Camp for New Dads: 50,000 veterans and growing. International Journal of Childbirth Education, 17(2), 8.
Capuozzo, R. M., Sheppard, B. S., & Uba, G. (2010). Boot Camp for New Dads: The importance of infant-father attachment. Young Children, 65(3), 24-28.
