Youth camp supporters send message

Now a chiropractor, former Naselle Youth Camp resident Adam Lopez was one of many to urge state officials to maintain funding for the camp at a community meeting last Wednesday in Naselle. Photo by Sunny Manary. Forty some years ago, the citizens of Naselle and surrounding areas gathered to protest the possible opening of a youth detention center in the area. “Not in my back yard!” was the consensus.

Many of those same NIMBY’s and more assembled at a town meeting February 4 with a much different tone. “This is our backyard!” was the attitude this time. Nearly 300 people packed the Naselle High School commons area to express their feelings on this issue.

Alan Bennett, Naselle-Grays River Valley School District Superintendent, welcomed the crowd and introduced the evening’s panel from the Department of Social and Health Services, Interim Secretary Stan Marshburn, Assistant Secretary for Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) John Clayton and Director for JRA Division of Institution Programs, Robin Cummings, who is also the former camp superintendent.

Almost half of the room raised a hand when asked how many had a loved one or a family member employed by the youth camp. “So this is a community that is heavily involved and affected by what happens at the Naselle Youth Camp,” Bennett said, adding it makes it that more difficult to speak about camp closure without emotion.

“Let’s focus on the issues and not people," he said. "What I mean by that is you have an issue to talk about, hone in on that issue and make your point clear, but let’s not have it be an attack on individual people.”

Several people took a turn with the microphone expressing different reasons why closing the camp would not only hurt the area, it would hurt the students.

Adam Lopez was a resident of the camp when he was 17 years old. He said his time at the youth camp and the community as a whole are what helped him turn his life around.

Lopez, now a local chiropractor, said a lot of thought needs to be given to the closure of the NYC. There should be other decisions, maybe cutbacks, he said, “but, to do away with the youth camp, is like doing away with Naselle.”

The economic impacts to the area will be devastating, said Wahkiakum Commissioner Blair Brady. The work the camp does for the state are tasks other juvenile rehabilitation centers do not do; from fire suppression to community service.

“Some of the efforts they do for the non profits and organizations just can’t really be quantified. It’s a fantastic effort!” he said.

What needs to be pointed out, Brady added, are the positive benefits the state receives from the camp. By shutting the camp down, the repercussions could be insurmountable. Brady urged all the meeting's attendees to contact not only the local legislators, but every legislator in the state.

By planting the seed of knowledge, he said, “they will be aware of everything that is going on when it comes to making these difficult decisions and they will know enough to support us and continue on our behalf.”

The NYC is the last minimum security youth facility in the state. If NYC were to close, camp residents would have to be transferred to one of the maximum security facilities, which could impede any progress they have made in their rehabilitation.

Since 1999, Washington has closed three other JRA’s: Indian Ridge in Arlington, Mission Creek in Belfair and the Sunrise Group Home in Ephrata.

R.W. Phillips, a resident of Naselle, asked Clayton how in good conscience, can he recommend to the governor, the youth camp be closed. He stated several facts about the camp including, “NYC is needed, wanted and supported by this community.”

Phillips offered suggestions in lieu of a camp closure. He recommended the merger of two maximum facilities in the Centralia-Chehalis area, which both have empty buildings, or the closure of another maximum facility in Issaquah which, he added, is not wanted or needed by their community.

In one year, the camp provides services that affect the whole state, according to the Department of Natural Resources; the students provide maintenance to public lands and forest roads through planting trees and pre-commercial trimming. The work they do is approximated at $134,000.

Ritchie Whitworth was a resident of the camp from 2003 to 2007. Upon his arrival, he described himself as cocky, arrogant and destructive. “No one could come near me. It was my bubble; my protection.” Two counselors, he said, changed his path.

In September of 2007, Whitworth said he graduated with a 3.68 grade average. While at the camp, he participated in firefighting with DNR in 13 project fires and 26 day fires. “Those programs in themselves are irreplaceable,” he said.

During his tenure, Whitworth earned $7000 which enabled him to pay his restitution. He said he also spent time at Echo Glen and Green Hill, but the programs were not as they were at NYC. “Those programs cannot be duplicated at either Green Hill, Echo Glen or Maple Lane,” he said.

Marshburn thanked the crowd for their honesty in conversation regarding the issue. He said on behalf of the panel, they understand how the community feels. “This is a gut kick for you guys, I understand that,” he said.

“We’re listening tonight. We are paying attention. I don’t want to give you any false hope that there is going to be some amazing win-win.” Cutting six or seven billion dollars from the state budget isn’t an easy task, he said. “It’s tough in Naselle, but it’s tough everywhere in the state.”

Marshburn said he believed to be very positive the community came together and has a voice. “I think that is good for you. That is important for you,” he said adding he hoped the community knew that they (DSHS) were not taking the potential closure lightly.

He assured the crowd decisions are not made by the political make-up of legislative districts, saying he was recently accused of doing so. “People react strongly because this is real and it hurts. I understand that. We’re trying to work with that and I think we have to work together.”

Marshburn made no promises but said they would be working through the rest of the legislative session to see what solutions can be found throughout the state. “That is the best I can give you.

“We are going to keep working with you; if the decision goes another way and Naselle stays, we want to continue to be proud of the work that goes on here. There is a lot to be proud of in this institution and this community.”

NYC is Pacific County’s sixth largest employer. The lost jobs can’t be absorbed into other areas as they could in larger areas like King or Pierce County, said Karen Wirkkala, Naselle Grays River Valley K-12 Principal.

There are people in this community that are committed to kids, not just their own kids, but those kids who are at the camp, she said. “That is why I believe there is a personal investment to each and every child’s success out there.” By taking away the programs, what will happen to the kids?

The people at the camp have a personal investment with those kids as they would with their own children. “They want to see success for these kids.” This can’t be duplicated in a larger area. “It is something that comes with a smaller community.”

Those wishing to help in the effort can contact their local legislators. A website has been created by camp supporters at http://www.savenaselleyouthcamp.org.