NCJ Number
153781
Date Published
Unknown
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Camp Roulston is a collaborative effort between the Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Juvenile Court and the North American Family Institute to maximize positive aspects of adolescent development; the boot camp program uses a military approach to promote discipline, citizenship, and learning.
Abstract
Camp Roulston relies heavily on studies that support rehabilitation and character development within an ordered, predictable, and highly structured environment. The program model uses a framework of rehabilitation, sound child care practices, and behavior management with a military overlay. The focus is on the peer group as a primary treatment force within a normative culture. Respect is emphasized, and youth are encouraged to assume leadership roles. Camp Roulston is designed to break developing juvenile delinquency patterns by increasing academic achievement and literacy, providing discipline through physical conditioning and teamwork, developing good work habits and skills, reducing substance abuse, and promoting prosocial values and accountability. The boot camp provides services with decreasing levels of intensity over a 12-month period. Basic programming over the period includes diagnostic assessment, educational and vocational programs, the Youth Leadership and Preparedness Curriculum, positive peer culture and guided group interaction, individual counseling, challenge programming, family liaison and support, a military-type regimen including daily physical condition and drills, a behavior management based on a point system, daily living skills, personal hygiene and health maintenance, and substance abuse education and prevention. Daily schedules at the boot camp are included, and data on camp expenditures and participants are provided. The boot camp recruit selection process is illustrated. Tables and figures