Camp Erwin Owen
Camp Erwin Owen (Juvenile Forestry Camp) had its beginning during the Depression in July 1938. Originally starting with 40 boys, the present facility is a non-secure, 125-bed residential institution for the rehabilitation of delinquent male minors. Operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by the Kern County Probation Department, the Camp's population is composed of wards, between the ages of 14 and 18 years, committed by the Court under the provisions of Section 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. An Aftercare component provides a structured transition from commitment to the community.
All of the wards in the ethnically diverse Camp population have a history of delinquency and a median age of 15 years. Wards are provided with all life necessities including food, clothing, living quarters, medical, and dental attention. Camp's rehabilitation function is carried out through a program consisting of discipline, education, counseling, guidance, work experience, vocational training, athletics, handicrafts, and group living experience. In addition, psychiatric services and substance abuse counseling are offered. The staff supervises wards working on crews assigned to Camp's building maintenance, care of grounds, meal preparation, laundry, animal husbandry, and community projects. Most wards work one-half day and attend school one-half day.
Camp counselors conduct individual and group counseling, and maintain daily records in the areas of work, school, behavior, and interpersonal skills/relationships. Each ward's progress is evaluated twice a day on a point system. The program requires a minimum of 12.8 weeks (3 months) or 360 points to 25 weeks (6 months) or 700 points. The ward's length of stay is determined by behavior, prior history of criminal activity, commitment offense(s), drug/gang history, academic history and other related factors. In addition, a special program alternative (Owen Reentry Program) is offered to those wards at high risk of failing Camp. Wards in this program are segregated from the main population in order to provide intensive supervision, counseling and academics. These wards are given the opportunity to redirect their efforts with the goal of successfully completing their Camp commitment.
