NCJ Number
59697
Date Published
1976
Length
82 pages
Annotation
TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN A FIELD SETTING FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENTS, THE OPERATION SUMMIT STRESS EDUCATION PROGRAM, OPERATED BY THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIF., IS EVALUATED.
Abstract
SKILLS TAUGHT IN THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDED KNOT TYING, ROPE HANDLING, EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE, RHYTHMIC BREATHING, PROBLEMSOLVING, FIRE STARTING, FOOD PREPARATION, SHELTER BUILDING, PLANT IDENTIFICATION, WATER RETRIEVAL, MOUNTAIN SAFETY, AND FIRST AID. ACTIVITIES TO TEACH THESE SKILLS INVOLVED ROCK CLIMBING, BACKPACKING, INITIATIVE TESTS, SURVIVAL ACTIVITIES, AND A COURSE FINAL (24-HOUR SOLO EXPERIENCE). IT WAS BELIEVED THAT PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM WOULD CREATE POSITIVE CHANGES WITH REGARD TO ATTITUDES, SELF-IMAGE, ENTHUSIASM, AGGRESSION, FRUSTRATION, CREATIVITY, SELF-CONFIDENCE, AND SENSITIVITY TO SELF AND OTHERS. THE PROGRAM EVALUATION DESIGN WAS CONCERNED WITH FIVE MAJOR AREAS: SCREENING AND SELECTION PROCEDURES, CLIENT CHARACTERISTICS, EVALUATION OF PROGRAM OBJECTIVES, TRIP PERFORMANCE IN RELATION TO SUCCESS AND FAILURE, AND PROGRAM COSTS. TOTAL EXPENDITURES FOR THE 9-MONTH PROGRAM, OPERATED FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1974 TO JULY 31, 1975, WERE $128,185. THE AVERAGE DAILY COST FOR EACH OF THE 191 YOUTH WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM WAS $73. BECAUSE OPERATION SUMMIT DID NOT RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANTLY GREATER REDUCTION IN OFFENSE BEHAVIOR FOR PARTICIPANTS, A STRESS EDUCATION PROGRAM IS PROBABLY INCOMPATIBLE WITH LIFE SITUATIONS OF PARTICIPANTS. MOREOVER, INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS HAVE THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR ACHIEVING MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM A STRESS EDUCATION PROGRAM. JUVENILE DATA FORMS AND A PROGRAM PARTICIPANT PERFORMANCE FORM ARE APPENDED. (DEP)