Has anyone been to Joliet Job Corps?

Has anyone had personal experience with the Job Corps facility in Colbran, CO?

• My son is 19 and just isn't cut out for college. Or maybe not cut out for college now....I don't know. We have tried the military but his scores are not high enough for him to get into the branches he would prefer so I'm looking for alternative options and found Job Corps. I realize that the courts use Job Corps for kids that get into trouble so I it will be a mixed bunch at the facilities. I've read about some of the worst facilities but not much on Colburn. If you have any experience with this facility please fill me in. I want my son to do something but I don't want him to waste his time or get involved in all the activities that up till now he has stayed away from! Thanks, Jenny

• Answer:

  I attended a job corps out in Kentucky, but was looking very into Colbran (and I have had a few friends go to this center as well). This is one of the better centers (it is run by the forest service). Though it will be a lot stricter than most other centers, most of the forest service run centers have the least amount of court sent students. There are numerous opportunities with Colbran including the fire team and camp crew (ways to earn money for after graduation). I have not heard anything bad about this center, in fact one of my staff members in Kentucky used to work for this center and loved it there. If you live in Colorado I would recommend setting up a tour of the center that both you and your son can go on.