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Camp Owen, the 'little city'

Kern Valley Sun - 2/7/2018

Special to the Sun

One would never suspect that the caring, dedicated people working at Camp Erwin Owen are government employees. The beautiful 56 acre camp near the river in Kernville has the look and feel of a private wellness center rather than a juvenile institution of the Kern County Probation Department.

Camp Owen Director Robert Kilgore described the facility and its purpose at a recent meeting of the Kern River Valley Historical Society and at a separate on-site interview. What became clear from the outset was that this is a place for learning and rehabilitation for the troubled youth in its care and not a place of punishment.

The camp started in 1938 as an outdoor working camp for problem boys. Construction began the next year to build a permanent honor camp, with much of the labor provided by the boys themselves. That same work ethic continues today with the boys contributing to the self-sustaining nature of the camp by participating on work crews for property maintenance and food production/preparation.

The boys are all wards of the Kern County Superior Court after having committed various offenses, primarily property crimes and probation violations. Boys aged 14-18 are assessed by the Probation Department, and those determined to be most likely to re-offend and who could benefit from residential treatment can be recommended for rehabilitation at Camp Owen. It is a non-secure honor camp, so these boys are not considered to be dangerous to the community, and in fact, are taught to serve the community, instead.

The camp has capacity for 125 boys, but that number has been halved to a current maximum of 65 boys due to county budget cuts. Over a typical three to five month period, the goal is to provide them with the tools to return to the community without committing further offenses. A customized treatment plan is developed for each boy so he can gain points to earn his release. These activities primarily include education and work duties, with mental health counseling provided to help them deal with what they have experienced in their often traumatic home lives.

It would seem doubtful that the short amount of time at Camp Owen could make a difference in the boys' future behavior. However, Director Kilgore said that boys returned to their communities after county treatment at Camp Owen re-commit crimes only 33 percent of the time, whereas recidivism rates at the state DJJ (Department of Juvenile Justice) institutions are at 70-80 percent.

Kilgore explained that if they can change a boy's behavior by just 5 percent at first, those learned tools might serve to positively change him another 5 percent for each of several years thereafter so that he can eventually become a productive member of his community. The Probation Department makes aftercare plans prior to their release so each boy has resources and supervision available to continue the improvements he made at Camp Owen.

Camp Owen uses a system that rewards the boys when they demonstrate individual responsibility, commitment to change, work ethic, and community service. Not only do they gain points toward their release, but they are allowed to use the youth center where they can play video and table games. They are also allowed to go offsite to work on community projects where they can gain a sense accomplishment by serving others.

The boys further their education by attending Erwin Owen High School on-site at least three hours per day, and they receive vocational training in automobile maintenance, welding, agricultural programs, and food preparation. Some receive training certificates that can be used to gain employment in the future.

All boys put their skills to work in helping to maintain the somewhat self-sustaining life at Camp Owen. Assistant Director Elaine Moore calls the camp a "working ranch" where they raise and grow some of their own food, and Director Kilgore refers to it as a "little city." When the boys see how valuable their roles are in serving the little Camp Owen community, it may give them ideas for how they could contribute to their own communities after their release, if they remain offense-free.

The high success rate at Camp Owen would not be possible without the personal dedication of its paid and volunteer staff who change the lives of these boys for the better. They each know the importance of serving as role models for these boys who may not have had any in their home lives. Appreciation letters received from Camp Owen boys who have found successful roles in their communities are proudly displayed on the office walls.

Volunteer Beverly Newman has worked at Camp Owen almost daily for over a decade tutoring the boys in reading. She has been so instrumental in the lives of these boys that the new Newman Youth Center was named in her honor. One of the banners prepared for its upcoming grand opening states, "Beverly Newman has changed the lives of so many generations of young men. May those whom she has encouraged go on to live by her example."

Director Kilgore is proud of both his team and the boys, saying, "We plant seeds and sometimes they bloom. We are here to make a difference, and to give them hope for their future."

For valley residents who would like to join this special team, the Kern County Probation Department is currently hiring for entry level "Extra Help" Juvenile Corrections Officer1 positions to work at Camp Owen. Applicants can apply at www.kerncounty.com; at the top Careers dropdown box, click on the Extra Help link, then on the position name.

In addition, volunteers are needed for the Friday Night Friends mentoring program. Further information can be obtained from Anita Ziegeler of Kern County Probation Volunteer Services at (661) 868-7428.