Beyond the Boot Camp
Article by Christine Clark Director Corporate Academy Group
Since the release of the Governments Fresh Start Policy on February 16th 2009 there has been much discussion and publicity both for and against the Boot Camp. We, as a Private Training Establishment based in South Auckland have been highlighted as an alternative to such a practice.
Corporate Academy Group has facilitated a programme for the last three years to prepare youth for entry into the Defence Forces / Police. This particular programme has featured on both Close Up and Breakfast as a successful and behaviour changing venture. Many of our youth openly admit to past misdemeanours, involvement in gangs, past truancy, expulsion, violence, however let me stress that not all South Auckland young people and certainly not all of our students, are involved in this. We all know however, that it is this typified youth who attracts media attention. Our youth are aged 16 to 18 and some come from very interesting backgrounds, many having large numbers of whanau living in a three bedroom house, no bed, little food, little hygiene and a lot of �tough� love. My heart bleeds when we hear our students say such things as � I leave my house and can join the gangs who care for me or I can go back home and be raped again� or � my grandma dropped me off at the shops when I was 8, I have been earning my own money and surviving since then�. What do you do??
Upon entry into our facility we stress boundaries, discipline and values. Many people accredit our success to General June (the tutor who has no military background) and the physical programme that she has developed. Yes, June is the primary reason this programme works, however it is the encouragement to achieve academically, to set and strive towards goals and to learn coping mechanisms, other than using the fist, which has made the most difference to our young ones. We develop an Individual Learning Plan, ask about dreams and goals and then plan towards these. These are reviewed on a regular basis, whilst at the same time we look at attendance, credit achievement and standard of work and appearance. We look at self esteem and challenges the learner faces. As trust develops we learn the background of the student and teach them how to face and cope with what life throws at them. We put all students into a uniform, ensuring that local gang colours are not included and we enforce our rules; no hats or caps, no swearing, no tagging, no music or phones within the facility. The rules establish respect; respect for the learning area, for each other and for the staff. Students are involved in cleaning and maintaining their building which creates pride and ownership. Most of all our students feel safe, knowing they can come to us for food, advice, a hug and guidance.
Academically the students complete a wide range of unit standards, many based on English and Mathematics. They can complete algebra to a level that I shudder at. Over the year they may achieve up to 120 credits from Level 1 and 2, and they practice mock entry tests to prepare them for the real thing if they do decide to try for the Defence Forces or Police. Academically our students achieve, for the first time in their teenage years.
Many students want to join us because they hear that we do a lot of sport, and they become disappointed when they learn that sport is less than 10% of the programme and in fact much of it is running and drill. They must earn the right to go swimming, boxing or to the gym.
Upon graduation we recognise the effort the student has put in, the changes they have made and the future they now have. Of the 18 who started this programme last year, 17 graduated, and 16 went onto further education, into the Defence Forces or onto employment.
Do I support the Boot Camp concept? Yes, but take the idea of residential care and discipline, add to it at least 80% of the time spent providing appropriate and motivational education, ensure that goals are set that are realistic, and when required be there to give a hug. Sometimes a smile is better than a shout.
http://www.corpgroup.co.nz/
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