There was lots of learning and fun for youngsters who signed up for the Kids and Kops Summer Day Camp in Lacombe earlier this month.
Held July 8 to 11, the 14th annual camp marks a partnership among Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe, the Lacombe Police, Blackfalds RCMP, and local peace officers, said Jen Harty, interim executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
"It's a VIP police experience, so our campers get an all-access pass to forensic science, crime solving, and experiencing police scenarios.
"There is also team-building and so much more," she said, adding that this year, she planned and organized the event along with Const. Michelle Grovet of the Lacombe Police Service.
"It was a very successful and fun week and something that we look forward to every summer," she said.
The program was originally designed by Sgt. Brian Zens and his wife Crystal Zens, who, at the time, was executive director of Big Brother Big Sisters of Lacombe.
"I want to emphasize that the camp is truly a team effort - it's successful because of the campers, the police officers, Big Brothers Big Sisters staff, and our volunteers," said Harty.
About 25 volunteers signed up this year to help out with the camp as well - a record number, said Harty.
"It's wonderful to get to watch the friendships grow between the campers throughout the week. Not only do we see those friendships built, but we also see mentorships being built between the campers, the police officers, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters staff."
There are all kinds of positive outcomes from the experience, she added.
"I hope (the campers) take away seeing all of those different connections being made in the community," she said, adding that the goal is also to see the young people gain a better understanding of how they can look up to people like police officers, Big Brothers Big Sisters staff, and other community members as folks who are there to help and support them.
Every year, the camp also wraps up with a special graduation event.
"This is hosted to celebrate the learning, the experiences, and the relationships that have been built throughout the week," she said.
"Each camper is presented with a graduation certificate, and then we give out two additional, special awards, too."
The Jamie Carswell Award, which recognizes a camper who shows outstanding character and commitment, went to Nash Johnston. The Colby Sackett Award also recognizes outstanding character and commitment, and this year's recipient was Matthew Woelke.
Carswell was a member of the Blackfalds RCMP who passed away in 2018, and Sackett was a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters Lacombe who had planned on becoming a police officer but passed away in early 2019.
Meanwhile, Const. Grovet said that from her perspective, the goal is to provide the campers with a unique look into what it's like to be an officer.
"On day one, they learn about the tools on the tool belt, and when they would use them. On day two, they go through a scenario, and there are various ones that they work through. They have to determine things like the use of force and how they would handle that, and the information that they would obtain," she explained.
"They go into the scenarios with a certain amount of information, and from there, they have to make some decisions. So it kind of teaches them how to think like a police officer as well," she said.
"It's all about problem-solving."
Grovet is a school resource officer, so it was a bonus to see students take part in the camp that she has also met through her work in local schools.
"I love watching how the world of policing comes alive for the campers," she said, adding that sometimes at the start of the camp, participants can be a bit timid.
But as the days pass, their decision-making skills in handling various situations grow stronger.
"To see that confidence grow is so cool."
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lacombe and District, which has a 33-year history locally, is a volunteer-supported mentoring organization that partners with parents/guardians, schools, corporations, and others in the community.
Youth are paired with screened volunteer mentors. For more about the organization, head to lacombe.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca or call the office at 403-782-7870.
