Alternatives to Detention Programs

The Washington County Outdoor Adventure Club:

(OAC) is a collaboration with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The Club is designed for low risk male and female juveniles and their families.  The Outdoor Adventure Club is designed to use fishing and outdoor recreation as positive alternatives to juveniles, while also facilitating family bonding. The Washington County Outdoor Adventure Club holds meetings and events every other month during the school year, in which court-involved juveniles and their families are exposed to new activities that involve the outdoors, including fishing, hiking, cave exploration, canoeing, kayaking and many others. During the summer months the club meets for five consecutive days during the month of July.  The Outdoor Adventure Club is led by Coach Jeff Courtway, the physical education teacher at JDC and Lead Officer Eleazar Herrera.

Youth Reporting Center:

The Youth Reporting Center (YRC) is located at 610B East Emma Ave., Springdale, AR and serves as an alternative to Juvenile Detention for moderate to high risk court-involved male juveniles. Juvenile Court Officers provide supervision, structure and positive activities at the YRC in the evening during the school year and during the day over the summer break. The YRC works with community agencies to provide the youth with recreational activities and other services, including counseling, tutoring, life skills classes and community service. This program won the Mutual of America Community Partnership Award in 2019.

Girls’ Circle:

The Girls’ Circle is a group therapeutic session designed to provide a safe and welcoming environment for court-involved teen girls where they can build and strengthen a positive self-image and foster healthy relationships.  Sessions are held one night a week with no more than 10 girls per group.  Led by two instructors, the program utilizes an evidence-based curriculum designed to encourage the development of courage, confidence and communication skills.

885 Venturing Crew Youth Program:

The 885 venturing crew is a program that partners between the Springdale Police Department and Washington County Juvenile Court designed to help court-involved youth.  This program is for moderate to high risk male juveniles and meets once per month during the school year.  There are no more than 10 males per group.  During the summer months, the crew meets for 5 consecutive days during June and August.