ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director
NEWS
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT |
| Date: July 24, 2012 | Special Agent Daron Barge |
| Time: 8:06 a.m. | 618.346.3842 - Office |
| 618.606.4780 - Cell | |
| daron.barge@isp.state.il.us |
Forty-seven Cadets Graduate from the 7th Annual
TeamIllinois Youth Police Camp
Week-long Camp Instills Teamwork and Discipline.
ALTON, IL – On July 21, 2012, forty-seven Cadets graduated from the 7th annual TeamIllinois Youth Police Camp. The camp was a week-long residency camp for youth that emphasized teamwork, commitment, and pride.
The camp was highly structured and based upon a military model of discipline. Mornings started off at 6:30 a.m. sharp with physical fitness training and the day ended with military drill and ceremony. While at the camp, Cadets were expected to address staff as “sir” or “ma’am” and to show the utmost respect to the camp staff.
During the camp, Cadets participated in numerous activities. They watched police S.W.A.T. and K-9 demonstrations, participated in teambuilding exercises, and learned the dangers of illegal drugs. The Cadets also received information on the harm bullying can cause, the importance of personal responsibility, and the dangers associated with the internet. The Cadets also took field trips to Melvin Price Locks and Dam, the Governor’s mansion, and the Lincoln Museum.
One of the team building exercises the Cadets participated in was to volunteer to give back to the community. The Cadets spent two hours volunteering in the hot July heat to clean up for some local residents. They spread mulch, picked up trash, pulled weeds, and laid a gravel sidewalk to the front door of a home.
“I believe it’s important to teach them to give back to your community,” stated Illinois State Police Special Agent Daron Barge, camp coordinator. “One of the elderly ladies we did work for was brought to tears. I think that touched a lot of the Cadets and had a very lasting and positive impact on them,” he continued.
The TeamIllinois Youth Police Camp was held on the Alton Mental Health Center Campus and is a cooperative effort between the Illinois State Police, Alton Police Department, and the Illinois National Guard. The Camp is sponsored by numerous area businesses, agencies, and organizations.
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One Driving Fatality is One too Many and the Illinois State Police is Committed to Driving Zero Fatalities to a Reality
www.isp.state.il.us / TDD: 1-800-255-3323
