by Thomas Blaney  Special to Desert Winds As the rest of the country wrings its hands over what to do about the deplorable condition and depressing future facing today's disadvantaged urban youth, one of the most promising approaches to a solution is taking shape right here in the Cave Creek, Arizona area.

America's Buffalo Soldiers Re-enactors Association, 9th and 10th Cavalry, 24th and 25th Infantry, is finishing up a kids' Boot Camp program designed to instill discipline, desire and dedication in at- risk kids that will help them achieve any goals they choose for the rest of their lives. One of the most crucial elements is a desert survival weekend intended to push them beyond previously perceived limits in a relatively safe environment, under the close supervision of qualified adults. A TV segment produced by KAET, channel 8, about the organization, caught the attention of Washington, D.C. based Mobil Video. Producer Larry Vander Veen and videographer Bill Griffitts came out to tape another segment to market in Europe. Some re-enactment footage was shot earlier in the day at Canyon Creek Ranch east of Black Canyon City where the group os preparing to start a full time kid's camp.
 

The taping continued at MTM Ranch in Cave Creek as the group set out on the desert survival weekend with 25 kids from Omega Academy in Phoenix. The kids are marched to the campsite tied together loosely with a cord and pillowcases over their heads to discourage runaways and to

deepen the group cohesion and trust. Group dynamics, peer pressure, psycho-drama, and physical training are in constant use for maximum effect. Most of the youngsters had never even been camping before. Those who got off the bus with an attitude were in lock-step with the rest as they marched back, exhausted, into MTM Ranch on Sunday. Most of these kids share the same English class with teacher Ameenah Muhammad, who is going through the program with them and plans to continue to help with the training. Also present was the Dean of Students at ATOP, Ben Sheffield, who completed The A.B.S.R.A. adult training seven years ago. He is also their Chaplain. ATOP President and CEO Dr. Raymond Jackson, whose son is also in the program, said that they have had many favorable comments from parents who have already noticed results. "If more programs like this were available to schools, they probably would not have the discipline problems they do now," he said.
 

This program is the first of its kind in the country. Other A.B.S.R.A. staff members on this trip were Captain Eric Reed, who is a sergeant on the Phoenix Police Department with 24 years experience, Sergeant Major Bill White

and Sergeant Grateful Jones, as well as Founder and CEO, former Marine, Colonel Chuck F. Long II. Col. Long said he is very pleased to see all their hard work and dedication starting to bear fruit. He especially wanted to thank Senator Barry Goldwater for all his support and assistance over the years. Goldwater was with the Buffalo Soldiers as a young U.S. Army lieutenant at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona.
Canyon Ranch
 
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