Programs

Over the past thirty-three years the Ron Burton Training Village (RBTV) has served over 9,000 young men and women in their spiritual, physical and educational growth. In our two main journeys’: the Leadership Journey and the STEM Journey, villagers are trained twelve months a year, over a seven-year period. They are guided, supported and mentored in some of life’s most essential areas including: education, social skills, morals, values, leadership and fitness.

The village stresses diversity with a balanced roster of minority and non-minority villagers. Though the kids come from very diverse backgrounds, most of the youth who attend the training village are from economically disadvantaged and often troubled and at-risk situations. The environments they are reared in generally lead to adverse behavior and low self-esteem. These youngsters have excessive stress in their homes, neighborhoods and social lives and are looking for direction.

Though the kids come from different backgrounds, most of the villagers come on scholarship. No child is turned away due to their financial situation. Each villager is given all their clothes, meals and accommodations. Everyone is dressed the same so that no one feels any different (better or worse) than anyone else. They are given full Reebok sweat suits, running sneakers, shorts, t-shirts, socks; the only articles kids come to camp with is a sleeping bag, a few personal items, and the clothes on their backs.

Located in a rural setting, the village is far from any urban influences. Isolated in their own peaceful world, we surround the kids with nature, trees, streams and lakes. There are seven large gardens that the villagers help design. The kids work and spend some quiet reading time in the gardens as well.

There are four core values of the camp: Love, Peace, Patience and Humility. The village’s philosophy is to inspire the consideration of others before self and motivate an understanding that faith and morals need to be the foundation of the mentality through which they approach life.

All programs are based on love and understanding. The staff, counselors and villagers alike are only allowed to speak positive and uplifting words. Teasing, putting down or any words that might hurt or otherwise demean someone’s spirit are not allowed. The kids are taught never to swear or use harsh language. Through athletics, we inspire the campers never to drink, smoke or take any kind of drugs. We stress the importance of respecting their colleagues, their elders and a special emphasis is placed on loving and respecting their parents.