Members of the Israeli Scouts 2009 Caravan Gefen, staying in Delray Beach for the early part of this summer, recently visited the Palm Beach County Juvenile Detention Center in West Palm Beach to bring joy and peace to youth behind bars.

Renalda Mack with the Florida Bar Law Education Committee and Palm Beach County Juvenile Detention Center Superintendent Anthony Flowers have made the trip possible the past three years.

"Average stay for those that are here is 12 days. Then they're either put in programs or jail," Flowers said.

"I've been here 27 years and I love every minute of it. Especially seeing the interaction of those that are here and the Israeli Scouts who bring peace and love. They're both in gangs, it's just that the Israeli Scouts gang up for peace and hope while these gang members have made the wrong choices," Flowers said

After 10 Israeli Scouts performed two songs and dance for the inmates, they then encouraged those incarcerated to join them in group circles. After the inmates finished laughing and joking over the performance they became serious with their 16 and 17-year-old peers from Israel and opened up and asked questions.

"We have drugs in Israel as well and it's illegal just like here," Israeli Scout Guy Reisler said.

"One thing you don't know about us... We automatically enter the military at 18, girls for two years and guys for three," he added.

Israeli Scout local organizer Shelly Weil said afterward that each year he's thrilled to bring the scouts that stay in Delray Beach with the caravan to the center.

"You two groups got together for different reasons. We chose to play music first because music is a common bond regardless of language. Something we can all enjoy. Then, you all opened up. The Israeli Scouts 2009 Caravan Geffen is a gang too. For reasons of joy and hope," Weil said.