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These teens dig in for a better life

Through Camp E-How-Kee, a group of troubled youths work on a garden at the Humane Society and reap useful life skills.

By APRIL YEE
Published July 20, 2006

BROOKSVILLE - Eric didn't want to plant the jasmine and crape myrtle. But along with the other teens in his tribe at Camp E-How-Kee, he had no choice.

"It's giving back for all the things I've done," the 17-year-old said.

A judge sent Eric, whose full name was withheld, to the program for runaways and other troubled teens. Eric had been convicted of aggravated assault and criminal mischief for beating up a guy and whacking his car with a golf club.

Projects like working on the garden at the Humane Society are part of his punishment.

"It teaches them the value of hard work," said Trevor Smith, a Camp E-How-Kee counselor, who is called a chief. "They're proud of what they do."

Last month, Eric and his peers broke ground for the site to showcase Florida-friendly plants, which are easier on the environment and on residents' pockets. The garden is meant to be a model for the Cooperative Extension Service.

The boys ripped up weeds and put down gravel. On Tuesday, they planted porter weed and thyallis, donated by Color Country Nursery in Lecanto.

Joann Schoch, executive director of the Humane Society on Mobley Road, eagerly shot photos of the boys.

"You've got more and more people, more and more gardens, more and more water waste," Schoch said.

"It's economical, it's ecological, and it's intelligent. What more could you ask for?"

Schoch, a former master gardener, milked her contacts at Camp E-How-Kee and the county Cooperative Extension Service to get the garden, which sits at the front of a new entrance.

For another boy, also named Eric, planting the garden was a chance to escape from the camp site. The cars and air conditioning remind him of Orlando.

"Projects like these, they get us off the property a little bit. It brings back a lot of good memories," said Eric, 14. "My girlfriend, my mom, my dad, my family, everything, my home, my pets - I miss everything about being at home."

Brandon, 17, plans to return home Friday when he graduates.

Brandon said he started experimenting with drugs in seventh grade. In his sophomore year, his father - an employee of the Department of Children and Families - sent him to Camp E-How-Kee.

Work on the garden is supposed to bring the nine boys closer, because they see themselves part of a tribe, he said.

"We are the Calusas, and we're proud," he said, referring his tribe's name.

Brandon wants to get a job once he returns to Ocala. After that, there's junior year of high school. He thinks he'll stay in touch with Camp E-How-Kee.

"It gave me stencils to draw out my life. Now it's up to me, whatever I want to draw with it."

Mike, 15, was sent to the camp after he ran away from home. He has to wait until he turns 16 to live on his own.

The garden is "something you might not want to do, but you've got to do it anyway," he said.

After they finished the garden, Mike and his tribe walked to the cat house. His short sleeves were pulled up to his shoulders and dirt covered his arms.

On top of the cages, one scraggly cat perched, its back arched. Mike gently petted its head.

April Yee can be reached at ayee@sptimes.com or (352) 754-6117.

[Last modified July 19, 2006, 20:19:18]