By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Barton County Youth Crew continues to grow its footprint in the area. Three years ago, just one Youth Crew member made the trip to the national Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America conference in Florida. That number grew to six the next year in Dallas, and eight Youth Crew members attended this year's conference in Chicago. Tyler Morton, prevention advocate with the 20th Judicial District's Juvenile Services that heads Youth Crew, said it's good for Barton County youth to see and try new things.
"These kids are just not used to seeing that," he said. "That is the goal with what we're doing is to give them opportunities in life and see things maybe they've never seen before, and to do things, get out there, and put themselves in positions they may not think they were able to accomplish at this age, or at this point in life, and let them know it can be done."
Youth Crew is for students in grades 6-12. The three staples of the program are education, community service projects, and substance-free events. As the program continues to grow, Morton and staff are looking for youth members to assume an even larger role. This summer, Great Bend Middle School's Janey Webber helped get Youth Crew in the Hoisington Labor Day Parade.
"We feel like we've been at this yard for the last two and a half to three years," Morton said. "Now, we want the kids to really take ownership of some of the stuff they're doing."
Youth Crew members hear from various experts at national conferences, and the trips are also a way to network. Great Bend High School junior Jasmine Figueroa has been to all three national conferences and was one of two youths from around the nation selected to speak at the national Drug-Free Kids banquet in National Harbor, Md. on Oct. 17.
For more information about Barton County Youth Crew, contact Morton at (620) 786-4033.