Police Adventure Camp

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Police Adventure Camp Montgomery County, MD Population: 927,583 The First Police District of Montgomery County annually hosts the Police Adventure Camp at Viers Mill Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD. The target of youth consists of those in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades with a total of 30 campers. The purpose of the camp is to provide area-at-risk youth with quality contacts with law enforcement personnel whilst installing life changing knowledge to include team work, conflict resolution, drug resistant gangs, respect for other and making good decisions. The camp consists of sports, arts and crafts and educational activities. The educational component teaches children how to refute succumbing to peer-pressure and teaching them how to call, as well as the use of “911”. Special visits were made throughout the week by a Maryland-National Capital Park Police Officer and his horse, a Montgomery County Police K-9 Officer and his dog and a SWAT demonstration. Montgomery County Fire Rescue also came to speak to the campers about fire prevention. The 1st District works thought the year in planning, coordination and reaching out to community business that can offer their assistance with donations for the camp. Numerous businesses such as Chick-Fil-A, Chipotle, McDonalds, Guiseppe’s Pizzeria, Five Guys and the Rockville Hilton assisted the camp by providing lunch. Target provided a $2,000 grant. The Police Adventure Camp has proven to be highly successful by providing a positive impact on the children, which in turn creates a positive impact in the community. The Police Adventure Camp has helped elementary students become more equipped and eager to work as a team and have learned how decisions they make can affect their lives. This innovative program that was developed at no cost for at-risk youth teaches much needed life skills, creates a trust/bond with authority, enhances understanding of safety in the community and makes life long memories with friends.