GREENPORT–Ten children from Columbia County went to the 2012 New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s Summer Camp last week, according to a press release from Columbia County Sheriff David Harrison, Jr.
The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp is designed to provide a recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. This year marked the 36th year of the camp’s operation.
The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp is near Penn Yan in Yates County and is supported by the Sheriffs’ Association’s Honorary Members through their contributions and annual dues. This year the camp accommodated over 900 girls and boys from across the state.
This year’s attendees were Axel Burch, Ray Lippman, Cheyenne Kilmer, Kelsey Pasco, Brandon LaGuesse, Brandon Napoli, Jarrett Rhoades, Amoz Bowles, Nitalia Risely and Alexus Risley.
Sheriff Harrison said that camp is designed to provide young people who ordinarily may not have an opportunity, the chance to go to a summer camp. “Young people from our county who have attended camp in past years have found it to be a great experience,” he said in the release.
Deputies and camp counselors create a positive experience for the young people who go to the camp. Throughout the week-long stay, the camp attendee’s will participate in and observe special exhibits and demonstrations presented by Sheriffs’ Offices from across the State, including DARE presentations, boat and bike safety programs, law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations, archery competitions and a talent show just for fun.
The camp is free of charge and transportation is provided by the Sheriff’s Association Institute. Deputy Wendy Guntert traveled with the group from Columbia County and served as a camp counselor.
At the end of camp, all Columbia County campers were awarded a graduation diploma for their participation in the Summer Camp program of Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies as well as Polar Bear Award for jumping into Keuka Lake every morning. Local campers also received the following awards: Archery Top Shot, Brandon Napoli; Teamwork Award and Running Award, Jarrett Rhoades; First place Canoe Team and Camper of the Week, Ray Lippman; Camper of the Week, Nitalia Risley; Camper of the Week and Teamwork Award, Cheyene Kilmer and Honor Cabin, Kelsey Pasco.