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About China Spring Youth Camp 

 Aurora Pines Girls Facility


China Spring Youth Camp / Aurora Pines Girls Facility is a treatment center and is dedicated to serving the needs of adjudicated youth in Nevada. The facility has no bars on the windows, no fences, and no locked doors. We are located in a rural setting, nestled in a small valley in the foothills above Gardnerville, Nevada. We are dedicated to helping youth define themselves and their values, while providing the least restrictive environment. We provide structure and programs to assist our residents in becoming productive members of their families and communities. The basic philosophy of the camp is "accountability." We recognize residents as individuals; however they will be required to comply with the camp rules.

The camp employs thirty-eight staff, twenty-one of which are youth counselors/mentors directly responsible for helping residents make positive behavioral changes. Three are case managers who oversee the residents' treatment and programs. The case managers and mentors give residents an opportunity to work through problems and assist them in doing so. Mentors help residents with day-to-day activities, assignments and advancement preparations. The staff at our facility has a genuine concern for the welfare of residents. Their job is to teach residents to become a more responsible people. We expect residents to act responsibly and will not accept excuses for irresponsible behavior.

Residents live in a dormitory setting. Residents learn to live with those who are dealing with circumstances much like their own.  Problems can develop with so many troubled youth living together for a lengthy period of time. China Spring Youth Camp / Aurora Pines Girls Facility has established residential policies and rules to minimize the difficulties residents may encounter and to assist them in learning tolerances they did not know they had.

The China Spring Youth Camp / Aurora Pines Girls Facility Program Youth Development System is based upon psychosocial principles of adolescent growth. The Youth Development System is designed to help residents learn, grow, and experience progress. Residents will advance and earn privileges in the system by demonstrating what they have learned, that they are using social skills and problem solving techniques, and are making decisions expected at the stage they have attained. As such, the Youth Development System directed at achieving positive changes in residents' attitudes, values, thinking processes, and behavior. In turn, staff expectations of residents increase as the resident advances in stages through the system.

In the summer of 2005, the camp constructed a ropes course on site. The course is situated on five acres east of the camp, featuring a myriad of low elements built into the landscape and surrounding a high course boasting a 400' zip line. We call the course C.H.O.I.C.E.S., an acronym for:

Commitment-Honor-Opportunity-Integrity-Community-Experience-Success

Residents are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone to complete the elements. We promote challenge by choice, never forcing participation, rather encouraging trust.

If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the camp. We will refer you to someone who can best answer your questions.