I sure am grateful for the adults in my scout troop who took me on my first Quetico canoe trip and gave me the fever for Up North.  I’m also glad that I had the opportunity to guide many teens through the Boy Scout Base.  Some of the keys to success that I’ve learned:
1. No electronics, other than an emergency radio or sat phone and a camera.  Possibly a watch, but I’d go cold turkey on that too.  Get them unplugged.
2. Have some group games, fire talks, and a deck of cards for a rainy day.  You can always cram 6 or 7 kids in a 4 person tent to play cards.  Just know a few good card games that they may not have even heard of.    (You need to Login or Register
3. Scavenger hunts – bring a few flora and fauna nature books and see who can identify such and such.
4. If they are urban dwellers, they may have never seen the milky way.  If skies are clear, get them out on a rock checking out the sky.  Also, look for meteor showers, northern lights, or even just satellites crossing the sky.
5. Challenge the heck out of them – Don’t underestimate the power of reverse psychology and also praise for a job well done.  Kids often have more physical energy and ability than they know, so push them hard. 
6. Teach them how to set up camp and do the chores, then let them do it.  You can sleep while they collect firewood, hang bear bags, and burn off their extra energy.
7. Cook over an open fire.  Most haven’t experienced it, and you have the manpower to collect plenty of firewood.
8. Bring extra food, snacks to help get over the mid-day blahs or when that bowl of oatmeal was burned up before you tackle a strong headwind or hard portage.  Teen boys eat way more than adults, so much so that we call them locusts.  They come in to camp, and suddenly all the food is gone.
9. Explain to them what you’re doing and why.  It’s far easier to get them out of bed for an early morning paddle if they know it’s to allow for an early camp and more time fishing/reading/exploring.
10. I recommend early starts in the morning and camping for the day around lunch whenever possible.  Also, be sure to plan for a couple of layover days on a trip with more than 7 nights.