I don't have an answer to people who ask 'why should the outdoors change people for the better?'.
But it's a fact I've never known of anything being stolen from a rural campsite or hostel (and anyone could walk into a hostel drying room and help themselves to expensive gear). And I've never met a bad person walking or camping.
Maybe those are the people who go, rather than going there that makes them like that. I think these boys certainly won't be any worse for their camping trip.
QJS