April 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 45

and women who were referred to the
program were eligible to participate.
With the help of local musicians and
artists, the participants worked on art
projects and a song and dance routine, which they presented to their
families and friends on the final day
of camp. This program worked well
because it was consistent and there
were many volunteers available, and
since a church hosted, the youth were
exposed to people from a variety of
religious and social backgrounds.
They made lasting friendships and
formed positive relationships with
adults, which is often one of the difficulties when working with at-risk
youth.
Remaining consistent, honest, and
available with boundaries has prov-

en successful with this demographic.
Because there are not typically many
programs that strictly take referrals
for these at-risk youth, young adults
already involved in the justice system,
opening the doors to parks and recreation facilities for them may help create lasting attachments to their community. A 2005 study in The Journal
of Early Adolescence found factors significant to youth development, which
they call The Five C's of Positive Youth
Development: competence, confidence,
connection, character, and caring.
When youth feel connected to their
community and that their community cares, they are less likely to become
involved in anti-social behavior (www.
mentoring.org/downloads/mentor
ing_1068.pdf). Creating specific pro-

grams for these young adults should
be a long-term investment and vision.
Departments should make contact
with the local juvenile justice center
and ask what programs are needed
for at-risk juveniles and what types of
programs are currently provided to
them. Even if a youth is just working
as a junior summer camp counselor,
his or her behavior and development
could change in weeks. Be patient, and
do not be discouraged if you do not see
results immediately. It also takes a willingness to believe in helping them. It
can prove as beneficial to you as it can
to them.
Laura L. Porter graduated from Catawba
College in 2007 and has been working with
youth of all backgrounds for more than 10
years (lauraporter@carolina.rr.com).

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Parks & Recreation

April 2013 - Parks & Recreation

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