“It is an an amazing program” the new Program Director, Mastor Bellamy, of the China Springs Youth Camp, shared with the Minden Rotary.  The program assists troubled youth increase their emotional and academic success.

The current program has 45 staff working currently with 18 boys and 8 girls who have been in trouble with the law in Western Nevada counties.  Capacity is 37 boys and 20 girls.  Emotional success comes from mandatory programs in ART (Aggressive Replacement Training), Thinking for Change, Boys Counsel and Girls Circle.  In addition, they receive mental health and drug/substance counseling from trained counselors.  Funding for the program comes from the counties they are referred from as well as the State and grants.

Education is provided by Douglas County School District.  Jacobsen High School staff are located on the CSYC property.  In addition, they have added GED exam opportunities, vocational education through WNC classes and activities such as snow shoeing and kayaking. 

The youth do not have access to their phones during their time at the camp.  For the first 30 days (the OATH/Orientation period), no visitors are allowed.  The next 90 days is considered the Adjustment period and the youth are allowed to receive phone calls.  The remaining 60 days is split between Transition and Honors periods where the youth can go home every other then every weekend to begin the transition back to home life.  For some, this transition might be to transitional living/housing if the home life is not the setting that would increase their chances of success.

One of the biggest challenges is this transitional back to the home setting.  The average youth is from Washoe County with a dad not typically around, many siblings and a mom either working many hours or herself involved in a gang.

Mastor Bellamy received his degree in Education from Kilgore College where he found his passion for coaching youth basketball and working with teens and young adults with autism.  He worked with the Western Nevada Boys and Girls Club for 5 years before taking his current position in October.  He is married with 3 teenage kids and a two year old.