Nearly 30 Cattaraugus County children are attending the New York State Sheriffs' Association Institute's 2012 Summer Camp.
The Sheriffs' Summer Camp is designed to provide a recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. This will mark the 35th year of the camp's operation.
The Sheriffs' Summer Camp, which is located near Penn Yan in Yates County, is supported by the Sheriffs' Association's honorary members through their contributions and annual dues. The camp will accommodate more than 900 youth across New York state, including 29 Cattaraugus County youth.
Article Photos
A group of Cattaraugus County youth attending the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp are pictured with Lt. Shawn Gregory of the Cattaraugus County?Sheriff’s Department.
Submitted photo
"This is a great opportunity for our county youth and I personally thank Cattaraugus County residents for donating and making this possible," said Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb.
Throughout the week-long stay, the children observe special exhibits and demonstrations presented by sheriffs' departments from across the state.
Included in the presentations are D.A.R.E. presentations, boat and bike safety programs, law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations, pistol and archery competitions for accuracy and a talent show.
Sheriff Donald B. Smith, Sheriffs' Association president of Putnam County, said the camp is designed to provide a child who ordinarily would not have the chance, an opportunity to go away during the summer.
"The primary objective is to create positive interaction between the kids attending camp and the sheriffs and deputy sheriffs who participate in the camp programs," Smith said. "We have found from experiences during the first 34 summer camps that the kids develop a renewed respect and understanding for the men and women who enforce the laws. "The deputies become their friends and in some cases substitute parents for a week."
Upon completion of their stay, all children will be awarded a diploma for their participation in a program of "Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies."