Sheriff Maha announces 25 Genesee County children will attend Sheriffs' Summer Camp, thanks to generous local donors
Press release:
Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha announced today that 25 children from the county will be attending the New York State Sheriffs' Association Institute's 2016 Summer Camp.
The Sheriffs' Summer Camp is designed to provide a solid recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. This will mark the 39th year of the camp's operation.
The Sheriffs' Summer Camp, which is located near Penn Yan in Yates County, 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 our county youth and I personally thank Genesee County residents for donating and making this possible," Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha said.
In discussing the objectives and goals of the camp, Maha said: "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 the camp and the Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs who participate in the camp programs.
"We have found from experiences during the first 38 summer camps that kids develop a renewed respect and understanding for the men and women who enforce laws. The deputies become their friends and, in some cases, substitute parents for a week."
Throughout the week-long stay, the children observe special exhibits and demonstrations presented by the Sheriffs' Offices from across the state. Included in these presentations are D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education -- "DARE to Resist Drugs and Violence") presentations, boat and bike safety programs, law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations and even a talent show just for fun.
Upon completion of the stay, all children will be awarded a diploma for their participation in a program of "Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies."
