SHERIFF SENDS 6 TO SUMMER CAMP
TROY >> Six Rensselaer County children are getting an opportunity to attend summer camp this week thanks to the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office.
The half-dozen kids from throughout the county are spending the week in the Finger Lakes region, attending the New York State Sheriffs Association Institute’s 2016 Summer Camp, according to a news release from Sheriff Pat Russo. The camp is designed to provide a solid recreational program while developing good citizenship for economically challenged children.
The camp, a former YMCA camp near Penn Yan, is in its 39th year of operation and is supported by contributions and annual dues paid to the New York State Sheriffs Association Institute, with 900 children from across the state expected to benefit from this summer’s program.
“This is a great opportunity for our county youth,” Russo said in the news release, “and I personally thank Rensselaer County residents for donating and making this possible.”
Chosen to attend camp this year were Raymond Bulson of Valley Falls, Nataleigh Campbell of West Sand Lake, Shaun Lucier of Wynantskill, Evan Moore of Poestenkill, Felicia Mysliwiec of Valley Falls and Sheila Tanner of Rensselaer. Throughout the week, they will be exposed to special exhibits and demonstrations presented by sheriff’s offices from across the state, including Drug Abuse Resistance Education presentations, boat and bike safety programs, law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations and even a talent show.
Upon completion of their stay, all children will be awarded a diploma for their participation in a Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies program.
“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,” Russo explained. “We have found from experiences during the first 38 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.”
The New York State Sheriffs Association Institute is a not-for-profit corporation formed to operate some of the charitable and educational programs formerly conducted by the Sheriffs Association. The group comprises all elected and appointed sheriffs in New York state and has the goals of providing education and training for sheriffs and their staffs; educating member sheriffs, their staffs and the public on the duties of sheriffs; running the summer camp; and providing victim notification services.
For more information on the camp and other institute programs, visit www. sheriffsinstitute.org or call 434-9091.