Crossroads for Youth was founded in 1951 as Camp Oakland, an innovative agency that provided a positive environment for at-risk children and teens. The goal was to encourage their growth by promoting education, positive thinking, respect, strong work ethics and discipline. Camp Oakland emphasized the importance of strengthening relationships between delinquent youths and families instead of placing the children in correctional schools or reformatories.
Camp Oakland was created by Oakland County Judge Arthur Moore and a group of concerned community leaders. It was located on 320 acres of farmland in Oxford, Michigan, and included a dog, 30 cows and two prize bulls. Several buildings were constructed with the help of fundraisers and donations: Boys’ Ranch (now Boys Center), Girls’ Ranch (now Girls Center), Summer Camp (Adventure Center), Work Education Program (Life Preparation Center), and Family Camp Clinic.
In 1999, Camp Oakland became Crossroads for Youth to reflect that we are much more than a camp. More programs and buildings – for academics and work education – have been added to our campus, and we expanded to include facilities in Commerce Township. We have seen thousands of success stories among the youths that have crossed our path. In more than 50 years of operation, our basic philosophy remains the same:
“Every child deserves a chance.”
