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Putnam Youths Enjoy Sheriff's Summer Camp
Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports that nine boys and girls from Putnam County were among about 900 children from across the state who recently attended the New York State Sheriff's Association Institute's 2007 Summer Camp. This year's camp marked the 31st year of the popular summer program.
The Sheriffs' Summer Camp, on property near the City of Penn Yan in upstate Yates County, is supported by the donations of citizens and dues paid by sheriffs and honorary members of the Sheriffs' Association. The week-long camp, which ran this year during the week of July 22, is designed to provide an exciting recreational experience for children while fostering ideals of good citizenship and respect for the law and the people who enforce it.
"The camp is a veritable oasis for kids who, because of tight finances or other difficult family situations, would not otherwise be able to get away for some healthy fun in the great outdoors," said Sheriff Smith. "At the same time," he said, "the camp experience engenders positive interactions between the campers and the deputy sheriffs and other adults who participate as counselors and program presenters at the camp."
Sheriff Smith expressed his gratitude to the camp staff members and especially cited the efforts of Putnam County Sheriff's Deputy Richard Mansfield, a trained school resource officer, who served as a camp counselor. "Deputy Mansfield devoted a tremendous amount of energy and worked from before dawn to after dusk in overseeing activities for the children and ensuring they had a rewarding camping experience."
Throughout their week-long stay, campers enjoyed special exhibits and demonstrations presented by sheriffs' departments from across the state. Presentations included D.A.R.E. antidrug and anti-violence talks, boating and bicycling safety programs, displays of law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations, pistol and archery competitions and a camper talent show. Upon completion of their stay, campers were awarded a diploma attesting to their participation in a program entitled "Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies."
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