Livingston County Sheriff Tom Dougherty stated that 13 children from the county recently attended 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 over 900 deserving boys and girls from across New York State. Sheriff Dougherty stated “This was a great opportunity for our county youth and I personally thank Livingston County residents for donating and making this possible.”
Sheriff Dougherty in discussing the objectives and goals of the camp 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.” Sheriff Dougherty pointed out that, “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 38 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,” a proud Sheriff Dougherty states.
Throughout the week-long stay, the children observed 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 and even a talent show just for fun.
Upon completion of their stay, all children are awarded a diploma for their participation in a program of “Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies.”
