Camp X-R.A.Y.D.
		HISTORY Teen Court The goal of Camp X-RAYD-Examine Reality About Your Decisions is to reduce the recidivism rate among youth referred to Teen Court who are charged with crimes related to illegal substance abuse or who test positive during their initial screening with Teen Court staff. The need for additional services for that group of at-risk youth was evident when a Teen Court recidivism study conducted in 2001 showed that youth referred for substance abuse charges re-offended at a rate of 33% compared with 12% for all other crimes. Teen Court requested and received a grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Inc. to develop an additional sanction for those at risk youth. Teen Court staff then met with Sarasota County Sheriff Bill Balkwill to discuss their idea of transporting these youth to various reality based experiences i.e. the morgue, the jail, the emergency room and other counseling opportunities, asking the Sheriff to provide support by providing transportation as that agency had done in the past. After discussion between Teen Court staff and Major Kevin Gooding, a committee consisting of PAL Executive Director Keith Muncy, Deputies John Cox and Mark Pezzella was formed. It was agreed Teen Court would secure funding, screen all candidates, provide case management of those cases including random drug testing for seven months after completion of all requirements. Any new offense would result in termination and referral to the juvenile court system for further consequences. The first Camp X-RAYD was held in March 2002. By 2003, two additional instructors were added to the staff and in 2006 the sheriff provided an EMT to the staff. FUNDING Additional funding for the program has been provided by Wilson Wood Foundation, Eluned and Edward Russell Foundation, and the Plantation Community Foundation. In 2005, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Dept. took over funding of the instructors for the 12 hour component of the program with Teen Court continuing to provide funds for the screening, counseling, and all follow-up case management. SANCTION DESCRIPTION Camp X-RAYD consists of 18 additional hours of services that include the 12 hour day with the instructors, 6 hours of substance abuse education classes, and six month follow-up with Teen Court staff. The 12 hour day begins with participants arriving at the Sheriff’s training center at Knight’s Trail Park at 6 am. They then change into jail uniforms, are drug tested, and then are led through physical training and team building exercises. The program developers place a focus on the development of leadership and communication skills as opposed to typical “boot camp” tactics. Youth are then transported to the Sarasota County Jail, where they are processed as if they are being booked, given a jail lunch and a tour of the facility. That experience is followed by a trip to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital emergency room, witnessing a demonstration by paramedics, which is then followed by a tour of the trauma center. The final stop is the County morgue where the medical examiner presents a video and some vivid examples of organs that have been traumatized as the result of substance abuse. Upon returning to Knights Trail Park, the youth participate in a clean up detail. The afternoon component consists of: 1) Open discussion with the youth having an opportunity to ask questions of the instructors regarding the laws that impact them;  2)   Parents meet with the camp staff to learn first hand what their child experienced and; 3), The parents, youth and staff hear a candid presentation by individuals who have suffered the tragic loss of a loved one due to a drug overdose or other poor decisions. EDUCATION CLASSES Four weekly 1 ½ hour mandatory sessions of specific substance abuse counseling with the youth educate the participants about significant factors regarding how their decisions have both long and short term impacts on emotional and physical health. During that time, the participants must complete homework assignments, stay crime free, and random drug and alcohol tests upon request. Parents and guardians attend a session dedicated to laws relating to parenting. These discussions are facilitated by one of the instructors and consist of a panel made up of a former participant, and someone from the medical examiners office. At the conclusion of the counseling, participants are awarded motivational plaques and one of the instructors then share a personal success story about overcoming obstacles and the benefits of responsible decision making.

of Sarasota, Inc.