Rockwall County’s Experiential Education Program began with the assistance of Marla Burns, an adventure-based counselor with Williamson County Juvenile Services and Texas State University. Burns facilitated several camp outs with youth and probation officers that set a template for the department to build on and modify to each youth’s own needs and strengths.
The goal of the Experiential Education program is for youth to begin the program shortly after being placed on probation and have them participate in all the activities for the entire time they are on probation. Youth report weekly to take part in activities including games, team building activities, and instructional time.
"Every week is a little different depending on what is going on, we try to utilize student holidays, and early release times during the school year," said Matt Margot, a probation officer that splits his time between the program and being the department’s Placement Officer. "One week, we might certify the kids in first aid and CPR, the next we might be teaching fly fishing or bike riding on a nearby trail. We try and have some day trips as well, going to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, or going to the nearby park to play Frisbee golf."
Goals include teaching basic camping skills such as cooking, putting up camp sites, and fire starting and safety. It also includes social skills, character development, and learning to work as a team. Youth are required to give up all electronic equipment once they get out of the vehicle for any camp out.
"I read awhile back that the human mind requires about 72 hours of time away from computers, cell phones, televisions, video games, etc. to actually get anything out of being outdoors, so we try and have at least a three-day, two-night camp out, but prefer the four-to-five-day camp outs instead," Margot said.
Today Rockwall County is able to serve approximately 15-20 youth a year in the Experiential Education Program. They average about six camp outs a year with an additional five to 10 day trips. The department recently hired Travis Moore, LPC-I, who had made a previous living by Fly Fishing as the General Manager for Tailwaters Fly Fishing Shop. Moore is a Certified Casting Instructor with experience in outdoor education and structured debriefing sessions after activities. Also helping with the program is Joe Klinkovsky, a veteran probation officer who is an avid outdoorsman, hunter and angler.
"Joe’s been a great counterpart these last few years, his outdoor knowledge and skills have been invaluable on these trips," Margot said. "All the staff that participate in the camping trips have certifications in either Advanced Wilderness 1st Aid or Wilderness 1st Aid, and are certified life guards."
The program is constantly evolving as staff evaluate what works and what doesn’t. Margot says it’s important to do activities that the kids want to do, not necessarily what you want the kids to do.
"The more interactive the better," he said. "Instead of rock climbing, where it’s usually one kid at a time, and the rest are sitting around watching, we discovered taking a caving tour where we crawl, climb, and squeeze through small spaces in the dark, keeps everyone going. Instead of just simple pier fishing, kids enjoy the challenge of putting on waders and walking out into the middle of a cold flowing river to fly fish."
Margot noted that last June, Rockwell County staff took a group of boys to Garner State Park, outside of Concan, Texas, where the group was able to hike to the top of the hill each morning, spend the day swimming and staying cool, and then each evening going to a local dance, which provided an opportunity to address social skills and proper etiquette when asking a young lady to dance.
"It was a great success, and we immediately made plans to visit again in 2017," Margot said. "We plan to have the boys take some dance lessons this year so they are a little more prepared for the dance. The boys we took in June have declared their plans to revisit Garner State Park after they get off probation."
While the Experiential Education Program operates on a minimum budget, staff at the Rockwall County Juvenile Services believe the future of the program is bright. The county hopes to apply for a TPWD COOP Grant to replace old and worn out gear and add some new components to the program.
According to Margot, "I genuinely think for all of us, the Experiential Education Program is the best part of our jobs. We get to interact with the kids in a way unlike we normally would as probation officers. They let their guard down and realize that we only want the best for them."