Parents urged to enroll troubled children in Camp Rescue program

Franklyn Cuffy

Dominican parents are being encouraged to use the services of Camp Rescue Londonderry to discipline out-of-control children.

One of the founding members of that organization Father Franklyn Cuffy said a permanent site has been established and parents can now seek a solution to problems associated with their “troubled” children.

“In the past, even in the Cadet Corp, we meet children who need some shaking up. That was the general idea behind the Boot Camp that we set up which we later had to change into Camp Londonderry. Persons believed at the time that we do not need a Boot Camp in Dominica but we are conducting the camp in that manner,” he said.

Cuffy admitted that some of the disciplinary actions include scolding and locking children up in cells.

“We follow a military setup when dealing with children. We had police officers there, counselors, teachers and members of the youth division. These children are troublesome and one must understand that. They are children at risk,” he said

Cuffy is recommending that Camp Rescue should be extended.

“Having them in camp for one week is not enough because after they go back and do the same thing. We think having them there for at least six months would have a more lasting effect,” he said.

If a child is enrolled at a particular school, Cuffy said the camp will ensure that his/her academics are taught to them while on camp.

Parents could contact the various schools and members of the camp if they feel the need to have their children enrolled in Camp Rescue.

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14 Comments

  1. CamBoypho
    February 15, 2011

    The less you know better you sleep

  2. LJ
    April 8, 2010

    #1 – No offense intended, but If any one wants to post a comment and quote the bible, please be sure to quote it correctly. The correct quote is: “Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
    but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” Proverbs 13:24. In otherwords, as a parent, God allows for discipline when children are disobedient. Bear in mind it does not mean get an electrical wire or a 2″ stick to beat the child .

    #2 I would encourange a camp like setting if it will help the child especially where mentors and counselors are available. I am against harsh punishment such as locking them up in a cell.
    what we do not realize is that kids don’t act up just for the heck of it. kids act up because something or maybe someone is bothering and/or hurting them. The solution should start at home. Parents, we must find a way to communicate with our kids, we should not only talk but listen as well. Our kids are our priority and we must make time to find out whats bothering them. Even us as parents may need a little counseling and/or education in communicating with our children. A lot of times our kids misbehave because they are angry and they do not feel comfortable or even welcome to talk to us.

    #3 Have we taken a survey from the kids who have attended the camp to see if it helped or how did it help to improve their lives? Have we asked them what do they think about the camp, how do they feel about their parents sending them there. Is there an option for the parents to attend the camp and take time to get to know their kids better in a different environment away from the ciaos of home life?

    Parents, remember open communication with your kids from day 1 is the best way to raise your kids. When we were growing up, we were always told when you get older I will explain things to you, but alot of the issues that our kids are experiencing they are not too young to explain, use your discretion, talk to your kids, you will be amazed at what they already know. let them feel comfortable to come to you rathar than to act out. If Jesus can show us so much mercy despite our past, then we as parents can approach our kids with a merciful attitude, always ready to teach and forgive.

  3. Truth77
    February 12, 2010

    Very interesting debate going on here! I strongly suspect ‘God fearing’ Mr Cuffy is subconsciously

    referring to the old testament scripture “an eye for an eye” therefore suggesting all these barbaric

    acts set upon him by parents / gaurdian as a child, should be wrathed upon ‘At Risk’ children.

    Well Mr Cuffy if our Our God ‘Amazing Grace’ saved a wretch like you, dont you think you should at

    least have mercy/ grace on young people who you condem without knowlege, insite or decernment?

    Where is the Love?

    I leave you to ponder.

  4. January 8, 2010

    Maybe some of you should go there and try to help or maybe find a troubled kid in your community and mentor them….sometimes its best to just be quiet rather than be so negative. ….let your actions speak for your.

  5. STEPHEN PAUL DELSOL
    December 28, 2009

    CAMP RESCUE LONDONDERRY
    It is a fact that some of our children are out of control at home, school and sometimes in the community! The majority of them are boys! These children need to disciplined using a variety of methods! Listening to them helps with some problems, some of the time!

    Rewarding, encouraging, and mentoring are all useful and effective strategies for the majority of these young people. On the other hand, there is a minority of headstrong and stubborn children, who are nearly impervious to positive incentives.

    I have a moral and emotional problem with locking up children for bad behaviour. On the other hand, there are children who continuously engage in self-destructive behaviours, that are dangerous to themselves and others! The only immediate solution in a situation like this is the ‘shock treatment’ of locking them up, for short period; for their safety and those of others!

    I know of a country, where students are locked up for a day, just for talking in class and getting up from their seats! A police officer patrols the corridors of the schools! They put handcuffs on the wrists of these students and take them to the local jail!

    A met a man recently, who told me, that his dad, (who was a police officer), locked him up in cell for 4 hours, because he disobeyed his mother! That experience changed the direction of his life for the good! He is now a well adjusted family man!

    The boys of Sparta, in Ancient Greece, were obliged to leave home at the age of 7 to join sternly disciplined groups under the supervision of a hierarchy of officers. From age 7 to 18, lived, trained and slept in their the barracks. At school, they were taught survival skills and other skills necessary to be a great soldier. They walked barefoot, slept on hard beds, and worked at gymnastics and other physical activities such as running, jumping, javelin and discus throwing, swimming, and hunting. They were subjected to strict discipline and harsh physical punishment; but were taught to take pride in the amount of pain they could endure. At 18, Spartan boys became military cadets and learned the arts of war. At 20, they joined the state militia–a standing reserve force available for duty in time of emergency–in which they served until they were 60 years old.

    We need a ‘Boot Camp’ in Dominica, not as hard and harsh as in Sparta, but one using a wide variety of Christian disciplinary methods to promote self-respect, self-worth, self-control and self-discipline in them.

    Do not be too critical of Father Cuffy! He is a good man, doing is best, with very difficult children! Father Cuffy loves those children and have their best interest at heart!

  6. JB
    December 23, 2009

    what can one week do more than just make that child/minor have more rage and resentment.. if you want to have a camp like that i think its best to have it permanent/year round and let it be professional

  7. Camp Rescue Londponderry, Director
    December 22, 2009

    Team Rescue would like to say thanks a million to Mr. Rupert Andrew Toussaint, who donated $1000:00 to Camp Rescue. We feel very encouraged for your Christmas Gift, as we continue to make an effort to create an environment for our Youth-At-Risk.
    The constitution of Dominica says that when a young person or minor misbehaves he/she should be sent to a training school. Now that we have a permanent site, we hope and pray that no youth or minor will be sent to the State Prison.
    TEAM RESCUE is committed to working with the Government of Dominica as they pledge housing and other support to Camp Rescue. Again, thank you My R. A. Toussaint and our many benifactors for your kind words of encouragement and support. Please note that over 150 students have participate in Camp Rescue encampment and some are journeying with Mentors.
    Let us continue to pray for each other that we will act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly before our God.
    Capt. Fr. Franklyn A. Cuffy, C.Ss.R.
    Director, Camp Rescue Londonderry

  8. December 22, 2009

    Cuffy, you are an educated person and I know you know this is not the best solution for these children. It breaks my heart knowing that their emotional state of mind is further stressed by scolding them and putting them in a cell. After all, they are crying out for help. They just might need someone to listen to them.

  9. December 22, 2009

    Scolding children and putting them in a cell in itself is child abuse. There should be other methods used to handle children who are at risk. They need trained therapists to help them with their issues. What about a big buddy role model or big brother big sister role model along with counseling?

  10. December 22, 2009

    you people must be MAD in dominica this is a high school that will send your child to college in the future at storkfarm how can any one give their child to a man that never raise a child never hear a baby cry at night he is not even a real father with kids the BIBLE says do not spear the ROD and spoil your child that is what he should be teaching try that dominican see how many troubled kids we will have I DO NOT KNOW OF ANYONE THAT IS MORE WISE THAN THE HEAVENLY FATHER do you ? righteous discipline our kids need read the BIBLE

  11. soufriere constituency
    December 22, 2009

    how can you father cuffy, try to teach these children right and wrong and even be prepared to scold and put them in a cell,? where as u all so-called priests and the so called educated, see evil and you all condone it. u all have given the right to do wrong by gov’t and you want to come to correct the children stop the hypocracy cuffy.

  12. Prophet2
    December 22, 2009

    “We follow a military setup when dealing with children. We had police officers there, counselors, teachers and members of the youth division. These children are troublesome and one must understand that. They are children at risk,” he said
    ______________________________________________________________________________

    Didn’t Hitler started that way?

  13. JB
    December 22, 2009

    “Cuffy admitted that some of the disciplinary actions include scolding and locking children up in cells.” this part troubles me

  14. mouth of the south
    December 22, 2009

    i appreciate what mr cuffy (i doh call nobody father except God n my earthly father),,, is trying to do,,,,, but my problem is that in dominica e’re thing will be stereotypical because this camp is set up specifically for troubled children,,,,, this alone fails the outcome of the camp jus like how e’re one thinks that alpha centre is for retarded children,,,,, a child with a disorder problem willl grow up thinking he/she is a retard because that is the stereotype by the public,,,,,, u can’t market it as a camp for troubled children,,,, then they will be pressured n teezed by their friends and the public making thier situation worse,,,, i guess they should market it differently as a camp for all kids especially parents who have badly behaved kids n they wanna see a difference voila,,,, u won’t find stereotypes dere cause all children are invited,,,,, besides wat ever the troubled children will learn is equally important to the well behaved children

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