Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 12, 1991 TAG: 9103120396
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
City officials unveiled "Salem Camp DARE" Monday, an outgrowth of drug-education efforts that have been the focus of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.
Giving bored, directionless kids - who might otherwise turn to illegal activities - something to do "is something we can't do enough of," Assistant City Manager Forest Jones said. "Times have changed a little bit. There are things out there that are detrimental to youths - like crack cocaine."
Emerson Gilmer was incensed when he learned last fall that two Salem High School students were arrested for beating a student from Northside High School.
To Gilmer, the students' behavior showed a lack of values, a "chip-on-the-shoulder" mentality. Gilmer, of Salem, was appalled particularly because the incident involved young people in his home community.
"This was a group of guys we needed to reach," said Gilmer, who took his concerns to Jones. Coincidentally, city officials had similar concerns. They saw an absence of positive attitudes in city youth.
The result was a seven-week summer day camp designed in part to build positive self-images, develop positive, trusting relationships with adults and encourage youngsters to return to school in the fall ready to make appropriate choices when faced with negative pressures.
The camp will run Monday through Friday, beginning this summer, at Camp on Craig in Craig County. The Virginia Baptist Children's Home, which owns the camp, agreed to allow Salem use of its campgrounds as part of its long-range ministry to children.
"We're looking at a lot of different ways to use the facility," said Janice Whipple, public information director for the children's home. "We're in touch with the needs of the community. We're trying to do a lot of different things."
The DARE camp will be funded entirely by Salem through its youth activity fund. Costs have been estimated at $110 per child for 56 youngsters. Plans call for eight children to attend each of the seven weeks.
Initially, the program will target sixth- through eighth-graders "because a lot of attitudes are formed at this age," Jones said.
Attendance will be based on a referral/application system, in which youngsters are referred for application, then reviewed by a screening committee.
Officials stressed that the camp is not specifically for troubled youth who may have problems - drug or otherwise - but is open to all children.
The camp will blend a revamping of the old standard summer camp - horseback riding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, swimming - with a bit of DARE activity worked in.
"We're talking about preventive medicine," Gilmer said. "Why wait until something happens?"
by CNB