Youth Police Academy: An Awesome Summer Camp for Teens

Each year in the Eugene/Springfield, OR area a summer camp for teens is held, called the Youth Police Academy. Many different officers and presenters run the classes, which include lots of fun activities, as well as information on various careers available to those who are interested in serving and protecting their community.

The week-long camp is a terrific bargain for only 25 dollars. Each participant must be 15-18 years hold and have a valid driver's license or learner's permit. Background checks assure that the kids are responsible and not troublemakers. It isn't difficult to get into the camp, but there is a limit of 20 kids per week so it is a good idea to sign up early. Each camp lasts Monday through Friday from 8:30-3:30, and each day at camp offers a different and unique experience.

On Monday, the kids meet the officers who will be in charge of the camp. Everyone in the class is introduced, and then they move on to various presentations. First, a detective tells the group about violent crimes in the area and how the local police handle them. Then a motorcycle officer talks about traffic laws and what he looks for, such as tail-gating, speeding, and illegal lane changes. After a lunch break, the students come back and a different officer talks about arson, and how investigators determine whether or not it is really arson. The last part of the day is devoted to defensive tactics, and seems to be a lot of fun for the kids. During this lesson you will see kids spraying each other with pepper-spray and attempting to beat up a cop.

Tuesday the group is greeted with more presentations. Forensic evidence, where the students learn to wipe for prints, comes first. After that, they meet Kyra, a drug dog for INET the vice/narcotics unit. Kyra is trained to sniff for drugs and does a great job at it. Next is the presentation on graffiti, which is a large problem in most cities now. They study different designs, and learn consequences for the crime. Off to lunch, and then back to do in-class defensive driving, during which the kids learn rules to follow during their drive time at the course, later. Next comes the bike and crowd control team. These officers show off their bikes, and how they use them to keep people back. Finally, the fun part of the day arrives, again; the K9-unit. These dogs are trained to bite and they will. The officers communicate with the dogs in Dutch and other languages, according to where the dogs were trained. Later, the group goes outside, and each one, well protected with padded arm gear, takes a "bite" from one of the dogs.

Wednesday is usually spent away from the classroom as the entire group travels out to the shooting range. After watching a SWAT demo each individual gets to hold the weapons and go through the SWAT team trucks. Then, more fun, as the group continues down to the obstacle course and runs through it. After lunch they watch a firearm demo and learn about a few more weapons. Then there is an EDU (bomb squad) presentation followed by a great "hands on" experiment. They get to blow up a cantaloupe! Then back to the classroom to go home for the day.

Thursday, according to the kids, was the best day of all. They met at the airport for defensive driving training. Each person learned to brake quickly, back up well, and drive through a course with lights and sirens turned on. They also get to ride along, while the cops do a mock pursuit. The whole day is spent driving police cars! Burn rubber!!!

On Friday, the last day of the week, the group took a tour of the 911 center, and then went to the juvenile justice center for another tour, and to hear a presentation. Surprise! Papa's Pizza for lunch, and then back to the classroom for a presentation by the cadet program. Late in the afternoon, the tired but happy campers get to set up for graduation, where each will receive their certificate of completion in front of friends and family.

Youth Police Academy is a great camp for any young person to attend and will give them a good look at all the different areas of law enforcement.