CORE | Coalition for Residential Education

From August 9-15, youth from The Crossnore School in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch in rural Florida switched “lives” for a week – an educational and enriching experience that allowed for new friendships, new travel perspective, new skills, and most importantly, reinforcement that “no matter where you go in life, you can always find loving and caring people who give readily of themselves in an effort to help others,” says Bill Frye, Vice President of Program at Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.

The impetus for the youth exchange took place at CORE’s 2009 National Conference. During a youth-led hay ride tour of Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch, Crossnore Executive Director Phyllis Crain, impressed with the respectful and mature boys she met, spoke with Bill Frye about the possibility of a youth exchange.

Crossnore student Casey says, “My experience with the Boys Ranch in Florida was a really good one. I learned new trades and skills that I will take with me throughout my life. The boys up there were really nice and they all seemed eager to meet us. There was one I met that tried to give me his skateboard. I couldn’t accept his kind gesture, but I won’t forget it.”

While on the Boys Ranch, Crossnore youth learned how to horseback ride, learned roping and bull-dogging skills, took woodworking classes, and played many games of basketball. At Crossnore School, youth went gem mining, swimming by waterfalls, mountain hiking, and learned about caves via a trip to Linville Caverns.

Boys Ranch student Cody says, “The best thing about this place [Crossnore] is the kindness the people showed you. It made you feel at home. I had an exceptional amount of fun. I don’t know if there was a single one of us that wanted to come home because the trip was that good. I hope this is not the last time we get to trade like that because we would love to return again someday.”*

The youth exchange is a clear example of how the collaboration that occurs within the CORE network directly results in some very precious experiences for youth. Our active member relations have all-around benefits for youth, member programs, and CORE. They are a crux of the rich collaboration that occurs within the CORE network – and the reason CORE is here.

*Cody’s yearning to return to Crossnore “someday” may come true again soon. With the great success of the first youth exchange, Crossnore School and Florida Sheriffs Boys Ranch are discussing the possibility of a winter exchange this December.