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Warm Springs, Oregon
Spilyay Tymoo
8 June 20, 1996
Cadets armed with tools, skills for life's challenges, successes
Out on (he High Desert about 10 miles east of
Ik'nJ lies u nulilary compound that was originally
used as a "night vision training und research center".
Now, instead of being filled with high-tech computer
gear and other military surveillance equipment, the
facility is filled with about KO youth and support staff
of the Oregon National Guard Youth Challenge
Course.
The Oregon Challenge Course began in Septem
ber IW4 and since then, has graduated 10 sessions.
There arc currently 1 3 such Courses throughout the
United States. The Bend Course is the only such
Course in Oregon.
The latest session graduated June 14 and included
four youth from Warm Springs, Charles Tuilfcathcrs,
Jr., Emily and Effie Jim and Charlynne Spino. At the
start of the session April 7, there were seven Warm
Springs youth, but throughout the course, three were
eliminated for one reason or another. Since the Course
began in 1994, 21 Warm Springs youth have en
rolled; eight have successfully completed. There is an
average 34-perccnt drop rate for the program.
Eligible youth must be between 16 and 18 years of
age and must apply or be nominated by a member of
the local community. In thiscascCharlesTailfeathers,
Sr., who works with the tribal juvenile coordinator's
office, recommended that the Warm Springs youth
attend the Course. All youth volunteer to attend and
once admitted, they commit to stay at least two weeks
to give the Course a chance. Youth must be high
school dropouts, U.S. citizens and Oregon residents,
unemployed, drug-free, free of the judicial system
and must not possess felony or capital convictions.
Program staff screen the applications and select
those most likely to complete the program. The ca
dets have two educational options in the program:
GED or high school credits. The cadets make this
choice in the first week they are enrolled. Successful
graduates accumulate four high school credits, one
each in English and math and two workstudy credits.
Also incorporated in the curriculum is a critical
work ethic portion which teaches cadets to accept
work assignments which vary in scope and length.
The work assignments are designed to foster initia
tive, flexibility, creativity and leadership. These skills
arc reinforced so that they are part of their work ethic
no matter what the task. The cadets participate in
weekly community service projects some of which
include assisting senior citizens with yard work and
snow shoveling, road-side and park clean-ups and
various other projects for city, county, state and
federal organizations. They build fences, construct
park shelters, cut fire wood and clean up forest fire
areas. The Challenge Course contracts with local
businesses for work and the cadets are compensated
for their work at graduation.
At entrance all cadets are at level 5 and split into
four platoons. Through weekly evaluations, cadets
are raised in rank, retained nt their current rank or
demoted. Evaluated are attitude, grades, completion
of chores and other factors. It is a rare exception that
a cadet reaches a one-plus rank. The most recent
Warm Springs graduates all reached ranks in the two
range.
Each day begins at 6 a.m. and the day concludes
around 10 p.m. Del ween those hours are classroom
work and field work. Cadets know what to expect and
when to expect it which gives them security in the
knowledge that (here wilt be no surprises as far as
their treatment and schedules go. Self-discipline is a
very important factor of the curriculum. All cadets
participate in anger management counseling and in
group counseling.
The Challenge Course is completely funded by the
US Department of the Defense. Funding is due to run
out in September and it is hoped that future funding
will come from the Oregon Youth Authority. The
Course is not creating young soldiers but instead
helps mold the youth so they can better cope with their
lives and environment once they finish the Course. It
costs nothing for the youth to participate in the Course
and parents arc allowed to visit briefly twice during a
cadet's stay.
The Course is aimed at prevention rather than
picking up the pieces after a youth has blown. The
program is flexible and is continually evolving and
the question, "What can we do to make it better?" is
always being asked.
When released, cadets are put in contact with a
mentor who is a friend and advisor to the cadet and
listens to problems and goals and helps guide them,
assuring progress. Once on familiar turf at home, the
cadets must have a support system in place to guaran
tee their continued success. Through counseling, ca
dets learn that it's okay for them to take care of
themselves and to be proactive rather than reactive.
The four recent cadets all agree on one thing The
Challenge Course is a good program and each would
recommend it to anyone who's not doing well in
school. "It was hard for me to accept having to stay
here. But now it's the last day and I feel it was worth
it," Tailfcathers, Jr. says.
Spino, too, says the program is well worth the
effort. "It was hard to leave home. But you learn to
catch on to the schedule and to trust other people and
to make fricnds...It's worth coming back."
Effie and Emily Jim, who are seeking their GEDs,
learned the concept of teamwork, self-discipline and
responsibility. They agreed the cadets learned to
accept responsibility and to not blame others for
something they themselves did wrong.
As the program evolves, so do cadets. All are
nervous and shy at first, but as time passes, each
blossoms and becomes strong, enthusiastic and inde
pendent. All are prepared for the "real thing" and are
anxious to get started with their new found skills.
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Charles Tailfeathers, Jr. and other cadets line up for dinner in cafeteria at Challenge Course.
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The hoop dance was great entertainment before graduation ceremonies.
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Emily Jim performed a jingle dance during graduation.
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Charlynne Spino looks on as Emily Jim braids her sister Effie's hair.
The ONG Youth Challenge Course facility is located 10 miles east of Bend
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