ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603140053
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WALTERS
SOURCE: Associated Press
Virginia's first boot camp for delinquent teen-age boys was dedicated Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting and a show of marching skills by the facility's first 18 residents.
A handful of parents who mingled with about 60 local and state officials were welcomed in unison by the formation of boys wearing camouflage uniforms: ``Good afternoon, guests!''
The boys also shouted the word for the day: ``Perseverance!''
``If he had to be anywhere, I'm glad it's here,'' said Donald Snow of the Richmond suburb of Henrico County, whose son Donald Jr. was sent to the Isle of Wight County facility after compounding past troubles by getting into an argument with a police officer.
``He's been talking about going into the military, anyway,'' the elder Snow said. ``This is good for him.''
The program combines five months of strict discipline, counseling and education, followed by six months of progress checks, to prevent troubled but nonviolent teens from becoming career criminals.
``If we can change the way they think, I guarantee you we can change the way they act,'' said David B. Dolch, executive vice president of Youth Services International Inc., the Maryland-based company that runs the camp.
Snow's 16-year-old son, one of three residents who won a speech-writing contest to give a brief talk at the dedication, said the program ``will help me get my anger under control so my anger will not control me and get me in trouble.''
Anthony Craft, 17, of Fredericksburg said he's learned how a positive attitude can affect in his life. ``It's taught me to respect myself and respect my peers.'' ``When I leave here, I will take pride in a job well done.''
The camp, for boys ages 13 to 17, is a joint venture by the state and Richmond. YSI has a five-year, $8.5 million contract with the state Department of Youth and Family Services and the city of Richmond to operate the 59-acre facility, which eventually will keep 45 boys.
LENGTH: Short : 46 linesby CNB