NCJ Number
53172
Journal
Adolescence Volume: 13 Issue: 51 Dated: (FALL 1978) Pages: 401-410
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A CAMPING PROGRAM INITIATED BY THE WURTSMITH AIR FORCE BASE IN OSCODA, MICH., TO COMBAT YOUTH PROBLEMS IN THE COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING THE BASE IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
CAMPERS ARE CHOSEN BY A SELECTION COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS, STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALISTS, JUVENILE OFFICERS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS FROM 28 PARTICIPATING COUNTIES. FROM 1971 TO 1973, 582 BOYS AGED 14 TO 17 WERE ASSIGNED TO SQUADS STRATEGICALLY MIXED TO INCLUDE ACHIEVERS (YOUTHS WITH GOOD SCHOLASTIC AND/OR ATHLETIC RECORDS), PREDELINQUENTS, YOUTHS WHO HAD BEEN EXPELLED OR SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL, AND WARDS OF THE COURT. THE YOUTHS CAMPED AT THE BASE FOR 1 WEEK, DURING WHICH THEY WERE EXPOSED TO AN INTENSIVE PROGRAM EMPHASIZING VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, HEALTH CARE, RECREATION, FELLOWSHIP, AND LEADERSHIP. PRECAMP AND POSTCAMP TESTS SHOWED IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR FOR CAMP PARTICIPANTS. YOUTHS WITH THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS TENDED TO MAKE THE GREATEST GAINS. ACHIEVERS WERE NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH BOYS WHO HAD BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW. ALTHOUGH ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR VARIED ACCORDING TO SOCIOECONOMIC CLASS, ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR GAINS WERE RECORDED FOR YOUTHS FROM ALL SOCIOECONOMIC CLASSES. A RECIDIVISM CHECK FOUND THAT 12.9 PERCENT OF THE CAMPERS APPEARED IN POLICE OR COURT RECORDS DURING A FOLLOWUP PERIOD OF 3 MONTHS TO 1 YEAR. DETAILS OF THE CAMPING PROGRAM AND SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)