Fourteen Madison County children boarded a charter bus Sunday afternoon on their way to the 2017 New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s Summer Camp, located near Penn Yan on Keuka Lake. The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp provides a solid recreational program combined with the development of a
sense of good citizenship.
This is the 40th year of the camp’s operation.
The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp is supported by the Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s Honorary Members through their contributions and annual dues. This year, the camp will accommodate more than 900 deserving boys and girls from across New York state.
“This is a great opportunity for the kids in our county to go to summer camp, and I want to personally thank the Madison County residents for becoming honorary members and making this possible,” said Undersheriff John Ball. “It really is all about the kids. The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp Program 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. We have found from experiences during the first 39 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.”
Ball also announced that Madison County Deputy Sheriff Krystyna Rotella will be at the camp throughout the week as a camp counselor, working with kids from Madison County, as well as kids from all across New York state.
“Having our deputy there the same week as our kids gives us even a better chance of having that positive experience, and giving the kids a real opportunity to have a friend in law enforcement that they know and can trust,” Ball said.
This year, 14 local kids are attending the Sheriff’s Summer Camp: Nicholas and Bella Crafton of Oneida, Melody Cross-Barnes of Peterboro, Alora Evans of Oneida, Carolanne Hopkins of Madison, Khai Hopkins of Oneida, Trinity Kampf of Brookfield, Chantria Mayton of Oneida, Navaeh Singh of Oneida, Lavella and Navaeh Whipple of Oneida, Brooke and Nevaeh Winchell of Oneida and Izaya Miles of Wampsville.
During their week-long stay, the children observe special exhibits and demonstrations presented by sheriffs’ offices from across the state. Included in these presentations are D.A.R.E. presentations,
boat and bike safety programs, law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations, archery
competitions for accuracy and even a talent show just for fun.
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.”
The children departed for camp Sunday, July 30, and will return from summer camp Saturday, Aug. 5.