The mission of the Treasures and the Law initiative is to improve the in-school retention, completion rates and academic performance of its participants. This initiative incorporates non-traditional methods of teaching and weaves a central theme of sunken treasures and the laws governing those treasures into the initiative. The Bucks County Office of Employment and Training's Youth Service Corps initiative combines a mix of work experience and unique academic enrichment activities. For three and one-half days a week youth participants engage in community service projects such as repairing and painting public buildings, landscaping public playgrounds, building jungle gyms and completing fitness trails for local hospitals. During the remainder of the week, youth examine archaeological, historical, technical and cultural factors regarding the quest for and finding of sunken treasures.
Students learn about America's maritime heritage, occupations that refer to the theme.
The program culminates with a mock trial of an actual court case held at Bucks County Courthouse. Local educational specialists, attorneys and the Bucks County Bar Association voluntarily assist with this enrichment experience. Skills Job readiness and pre-employment skills are developed by completing a resume and a cover letter geared towards their job or career interests. Youth are also taught interviewing skills and practice completion of employment applications with the assistance of local employers. Evidence of Success Youth were given a pre-test at the commencement of the program to ascertain their level of awareness of the subject matter contained in the curriculum.