Howard County

The Youth Police Academy is a free, one-week overnight academy for kids ages 13 to 17 years old. This adventure-filled camp is designed to help young people explore career and leadership opportunities, life skills and character education. Participants spend the week participating in law enforcement classroom instruction, drill and ceremony, physical training, and team-building. Participants will be able to put their training to the test with scenario exercises in patrol techniques, domestic situations, crime-scene processing and traffic stops. All meals and snacks are provided daily.

BearTrax is an overnight camp and mentorship program for 5th graders entering middle school in the Fall. It is designed to enhance relationships between police officers and youth and provides role models that help a child develop socially and emotionally. Officers help kids learn to understand and communicate their feelings, to relate to their peers, and to develop positive relationships with other adults. Through the BearTrax Camp, officers attempt to instill a healthy sense of importance and self-confidence in participants. They will be taught communication skills, conflict management and a sense of respect for others. The Camp will reinforce important social lessons, where entertaining activities will be used to focus on topics such as physical fitness, bullying, anger management, personal safety, peer pressure, team building, character building and community service.