Sheriff's Summer Youth Camp a Success

Sheriff Wendell Hall is currently conducting his "Summer Youth Camp 2007" at the East Milton Recreation Park, which started May 29, 2007. This camp is a nine week program (Monday through Thursday, 8am to 4pm ) that takes at risk children or children who are trying to find their path in life, and introduces them to law enforcement in a different manner than they are used to seeing. This camp gives children positive alternatives in their lives. There are currently approximately 24 middle school children participating in the camp. The participants are identified by school resource officers, guidance counselors, probation officers, or juvenile Judges. Participants of the camp must first meet three of the following five qualifiers. 1) Low income, 2) at risk behavior, 3) Free or reduced lunches, 4) A parent in the criminal justice system, 5) Single parent home. Throughout the camp, the participants will be taught a curriculum including Middle School DARE; Aggressors, Victims and Bystanders; Sexual Misconduct; and Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Along with the teaching, they have several activities at the camp that teach TEAM WORK. Sheriff's deputies take the children by bus to several areas, such as the USS ALABAMA, BLACKWATER RIVER, US NAVAL MUSEUM, and to see the Blue Angels. With these activities, the children are required to have a good discipline report and must be present 50 percent of that week to go. It is the desire of Sheriff Hall to take these children and provide them with direction, give them positive role models, and facilitate education in a setting that is different from the typical contact they would have with law enforcement. If the sheriff's office can reach even one or two of these children, it is well worth the effort. The sheriff's office encourages the media to come and visit the camp. They can contact Sgt. Scott Haines at 850-981-2136 and arrangements will be made.