Calhoun boot camp reopens with two students
Above: Drill instructor Chuck Pepau talks with a student before he runs the obstacle course at the Calhoun County Juvenile Probation Department's boot camp, which reopened Monday, Nov. 2.Left: Pepau makes a student run the obstacle course and perform push-ups.
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HOW DOES BOOT CAMP WORK?
The boot camp is a court-ordered program for students who have been expelled from Calhoun County school district high school and middle schools.
The program includes regular academic classes as well as physical training and ...
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HOW DOES BOOT CAMP WORK?
The boot camp is a court-ordered program for students who have been expelled from Calhoun County school district high school and middle schools.
The program includes regular academic classes as well as physical training and monitoring by drill sergeants and juvenile probation officers.
PORT LAVACA - The day started early, with two boys holding tires over their heads.
"We break them down," said Chuck Pepau, the captain at the juvenile probation boot camp, as he recounted the morning's schedule. The two students had been expelled from Calhoun County High School earlier this year and were ordered by a judge to participate in the boot camp.
The program, which school and probation officials laud as a success, was suspended before the start of the school year as an attempt at cost-saving. The Juvenile Probation Board decided to reopen the camp, but to serve only students who have been ordered by a judge to participate.
As of Monday morning, two students had been ordered into boot camp. Halfway through the morning, they lined up outside, dipping their stubbled heads to check that they'd shuffled their toes into red footprints. Spectators well outnumbered the students - both fatigue-clad boys could have had at least one probation officer, drill sergeant, judge and journalist to himself.
A third student was expected later in the day, provided he passed a physical, said Louis Leija, chief probation officer.
One reason the program is successful is it keeps expelled students from disappearing, said Larry Nichols, superintendent for the school district. The students spend more than five and a half hours on schoolwork each day.
Teacher Betty Tinsley is a six-year veteran working for the program. She teaches every subject - from social studies to science labs - in the same classroom.
"You have to be on your toes in all subject matter," she said.
But it's the combination of discipline and physical rigor that makes the boot camp unique, Leija said.
Watching the boys run an obstacle course, it's clear why a doctor's OK is necessary.
The first boy effortlessly ran through tires and vaulted walls. His classmate got hung up at the second, taller wall. The first boy jogged back around to give him a boost.
The physical training conditions students, Pepau said, but it also teaches them to work together, he said.
Pepau is a drill sergeant in the Army Reserve, and Brandi Alcanter, the boot camp's lieutenant, is training to become an Army drill instructor.
The techniques for teaching students is similar to those Pepau uses for new soldiers, he said.
Discipline is key to making kids take pride in themselves, but he also wants them to know they can talk to him about anything.
"Here, I'm not making them soldiers," Pepau said. "I'm making them better kids."
Comments
Hoping this helps these kids rather than hurts. I believe here in The south I read awhile back about abuse going on in a situation like this. Im really not sure.. Hoping this changes these troubled kids back around to doing Good things for society. I love all children, teens , young adults, it's the parents I can't deal with. Hoping this isn't a solution for bad parenting. Good luck with this program, we have to start somewhere, these days seems like some kids are like wild animals.
November 15, 2009 at 12:13 p.m.Sunshine, there is nothing easy about boot camp. These kids have lived without rules and consequences, and suddenly have to adhere to very strict rules and dire consequences. It's taxing on them physically, mentally and emotionally. And it works. Kids learn so much about themselves that they would never know otherwise. Many have gone on to attain higher education or join the military. Captain Elledge helped create boot camp from the ground up. Then he helped create good kids out of hoodlums. I hope the program will be as successful under the new leadership.
November 6, 2009 at 7:21 a.m.This is the biggest joke!!! How good can it be when a juvenile would rather be here than in school because they say they can do what they want and it is so much easier than school? Not what I call a boot camp.
November 4, 2009 at 1:21 p.m.This seems like a good idea in theory. Will be interesting to see how it pans out...
November 4, 2009 at 8:36 a.m.sounds good but too many loop holes. Maybe alot of these kids are boardline special needs kids and being minority get placed in this 'yelling' and 'making' environment. While the rich gets go to Bluebonnet Ranch or Deuvreaux. I would like to see criminals from the law go here and not students surely there is something more pleasing to enrich their soul. imo
November 3, 2009 at 4:07 p.m.This is one of the greatest programs a school district can spend money on. There are too many out of control kids. I know, I foster troubled teen boys. The law protects these kids from getting a good old butt spanking, then it has to be ordered by a judge to get them the discipline they need. The school district I live in has an Alternative School which is run like a boot camp by a very strict man, and it does work for most of these kids. I say all school district need a boot camp. Maybe this would keep a few of them out of prison.
November 3, 2009 at 8:44 a.m.What a great program! There is so much you can do with it. So much you could teach. So much you could build. You'd think there would be more programs like this in more counties. Keep up the good work Captain.
November 3, 2009 at 7:44 a.m.Does Victoria County have a program like this yet? Calhoun County only allows those from Calhoun County to participate in this program. I think it would work well if all the schools get together, pool their money and make it available to the schools of the Crossroads area.
November 3, 2009 at 5:19 a.m.