Camp gets boys on right path

Las Vegan Morgan Moskowitz speaks easily about his past when talking about his wrestling and baseball days. But the 15-year-old boy, now living at the Spring Mountain Youth Camp, gets bashful when talking of other past events -- the drug violations, the domestic assault.

Moskowitz may have lost his childhood innocence before entering the camp's front gate. But he and the other 79 boys at the camp for juvenile offenders now have an opportunity to mend their pasts and look forward to crime-free lives.

The 80-bed detention center, nestled in the pine trees of Mount Charleston, is home to youths ages 9-18 who have committed offenses such as property damage, auto theft, assault, gun possession and robbery.

Even though these youngsters were taken out of their environment by the court system, the camp is a place where they are given a second chance.

"These are kids who are losing at life. They have negative family interactions, are into gangs and drugs, and are not thinking about their actions," camp manager Dan Prince said.

"The goal of the program is to help kids help themselves. We want to instill a sense of right and wrong, challenge them to examine the issues in their life and to confront them while feeling good about themselves."

The facility does this by giving the youths out-of-home experiences where there are no outside influences such as gangs.

The camp has a year-round school associated with the Clark County School District, a sports program, a drug program and a forestry program. The camp also works with families of the juveniles in terms of family violence, drugs and alcohol.

"This holistic approach often means the difference between success and failure," Prince said. "We are also asking the community to help work with the kids when they return in (forming) bonds with schools, churches and youth agencies so the community can take responsibility as well as the family."

A group of nine teachers and 40 others, including counselors, guide the juniors and seniors at the juvenile facility's high school. Bob Andrews, this year's principal, said most of the students are willing to learn.

"Discipline problems are nil in the classroom," he said. He likes the one-on-one attention that the students can receive, keeping the focus on building relationships rather than only maintaining discipline. "That's where the fun is!"

Moskowitz, who dropped out of school before coming to the camp, said he has learned many things while attending the detention center's school. His favorite subject is history.

"At this school you can't get away with anything without getting in trouble. It helps you learn because you have to pay attention."

Prince believes the program is a success. Historically, 80 percent of the offenders who are released do not return to the camp, he said. "Evidence suggests that most of the graduates of the program are able to reintegrate successfully in the community and stay out of trouble."

Even though the camp has a high success rate, it still has needs and problems. Because of overcrowding at state juvenile detention centers, the camp is sometimes asked to take tougher kids, Prince said.

"This causes us to make adjustments to the program. Even with 80 beds, it may not be enough because of growth. We need to do a better job of programs at the front end, before they (youth) need institutional care."

During a typical day, the youths take part in military-like physical training after school. Moskowitz said that is the worst part of the camp.

"We have to run four miles a day and up and down the stairs 40 times. It's not easy, and it took me a long time to get used to it."

The counselors also employ military-like tactics when the children are in their living quarters. When a counselor yells "Muster!" there is no talking or whispering until the counselor gives the signal.

Prince says this training is good for the boys. "For the kids who have exhausted community-based programs, when their resources have been exhausted, the camp is the next logical step for kids who are not able to live in the community."

Steve Petre, 17, who has been at the camp for four months because of gun charges, agrees with Prince.

"This is a good program, good staff that talk to you when you have problems," the Las Vegas resident said. "They teach you about respect, responsibility and how to be independent. I wish I would never have done the things I done, but now I got a chance to change."

Moscowitz and Petre say they miss being home. But they both have weekend privileges to be at home with their families because they have accumulated points for good behavior.

"When I first went home for weekend visits I couldn't sleep, I was so excited," Moscowitz said. He said he likes the time he is able to spend with his mother and is trying to keep his 13-year-old sister from making the same mistakes he did.

Moscowitz and Petre, along with the other boys, walk around the camp in blue jeans, T-shirts and sweatshirts. Their faces reveal a look of contentment.

After being at the camp for eight months, Moscowitz was released Friday.

"If I wouldn't have come here I probably would be doing a lot worse, so I'm glad I had to come," he said. "But I am ready to go home."

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