TWENTY-FOUR OF CALIFORNIA'S COUNTIES HAVE ONE OR MORE RANCH OR CAMP PROGRAMS. THE PROGRAMS VARY DUE TO NEED, BUDGET, PHILOSOPHY OF THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, AND ATTITUDES AND/OR EDUCATION OF THE COUNSELORS. THEY ARE SIMILAR IN THAT THEY ARE COUNTY-OPERATED AND ACCEPT MINORS UNDER 18. LENGTH OF STAY IS FROM A MINIMUM OF 3 MONTHS TO A MAXIMUM OF 10 MONTHS. SHARED BY ALL PROGRAMS ARE A HIGH SUCCESS RATE AND THE ENTHUSIASTIC DEDICATION OF COUNSELORS. TODAY'S RANCH AND CAMP SYSTEMS EVOLVED FROM THE EARLY BORSTAL SYSTEM OF SCHOOLS AND DETENTION CENTERS IN ENGLAND AND EUROPE AND THEIR FUNDING COMES FROM THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY, PARENTS CONTRIBUTIONS, AND COUNTY FUNDS. CAMP PROGRAMS HAVE CHANGED SINCE PASSAGE OF ASSEMBLY BILL 3121 WHICH PROHIBITS SECURE DETENTION FOR STATUS OFFENDERS. AS A RESULT, CAMP POPULATIONS NOW CONSIST OF THOSE ADJUDICATED FOR ACTUAL LAW VIOLATIONS, FREQUENTLY REPEAT OFFENDERS. OTHER INNOVATIONS INCLUDE ENLARGED REMEDIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS, PREAPPRENTICE OR TRADES TRAINING, AND METHODS OF REWARDS OR PUNISHMENTS. RECIDIVISM RATES WITHIN THE SYSTEM VARY FROM 15 TO 20 PERCENT. YOUTH AUTHORITY COSTS ARE APPROXIMATELY $1,500 PER MONTH PER CAPITA FOR AN AVERAGE 1-YEAR STAY. THERE IS ONE COUNSELOR PER 8 YOUTHS, AN ARRANGEMENT PERMITTING SUFFICIENT STAFF TIME TO DEVELOP ONE-ON-ONE RELATIONSHIPS TO FURTHER BOTH COUNSELING AND LISTENING. THE WEAK LINKS IN THE CAMP/RANCH CHAINS ARE EDUCATION AND FOLLOWUP AFTER RELEASE; FUNDING LIMITS THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE EXTENDED SERVICES SUCH AS JOB OR SCHOOL AND HOUSING PLACEMENT. (MJW)