NCJ Number
58231
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A TUCSON, ARIZ., CAMP FIRE GIRLS PROGRAM WHICH USED FEMALE STATUS OFFENDERS AS LEADERS AND PROVIDED LOW-INCOME CHILDREN WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN CAMP FIRE ACTIVITIES IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
ONCE CONCERNED EXCLUSIVELY WITH INSTILLING TRADITIONAL WOMEN'S QUALITIES IN YOUNG GIRLS, CAMP FIRE GIRLS NOW PROMOTES SELF-RELIANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY IN GIRLS AND BOYS AND SEEKS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN SOCIETY WHICH AFFECT YOUTH. IN AN EFFORT TO BRING ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE, THE TUCSON CAMP FIRE GIRLS PROGRAM COLLABORATED WITH OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO EXTEND SERVICES TO YOUTHS IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS WITH HIGH RATES OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND FEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTHS TO ENGAGE IN CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIVITY. TEN FEMALE STATUS OFFENDERS WERE SELECTED AND TRAINED TO SERVE AS COLEADERS (WITH ADULTS) IN PLANNING, PREPARING, AND CONDUCTING CAMP FIRE MEETINGS IN LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. IT HAD BEEN PLANNED TO INCLUDE BOYS AS WELL AS GIRLS IN THE MEETINGS, BUT SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS FELT THAT GIRLS NEEDED A PROGRAM DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THEM. A TOTAL OF 154 GIRLS--64 YAQUI INDIANS, 60 MEXICAN AMERICANS, 19 BLACKS, 11 WHITES--TOOK PART IN THE PROGRAM, WHICH WAS GREETED ENTHUSIASTICALLY BY THE COMMUNITY. THE STATUS OFFENDERS WHO SERVED AS COLEADERS ENHANCED THEIR SKILLS AND SELF-ESTEEM. SOME WHO HAD DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL COMPLETED THEIR SCHOOLING. THE STATUS OFFENDERS ALSO BENEFITED FROM ONE-TO-ONE COUNSELING BY THEIR ADULT COLEADERS AND FROM SPECIAL TRAINING IN JOB-FINDING SKILLS. THE PROGRAM DREW SUPPORT FROM A NUMBER OF OTHER TRADITIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY. (LKM)