New York Sheriff’s Summer Camp Celebrates 40 Years

My first summer camp experience was a good one, so good in fact that the next summer my parents signed me up for my first overnight summer camp experience. That was a little rougher for me, but eventually I settled in and made new friends and a lot of great memories. I even went on to be a church camp counselor when I was in college.

For many children though, going to summer camp may only be a dream due to the cost of attending. For the past forty years in New York State however, the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute has raised funds to help economically challenged families send their children to the New York Sheriff's Summer Camp at Keuka Lake.

They combine summer recreation with activities designed to build self esteem along the way.  Each year over eight hundred children from across New York State attend with the Sheriffs’ Institute paying the entire cost of the camp stay and transportation.

The New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute also operates a scholarship program that provides one scholarship to each of New York State’s Community College’s Criminal Justice Programs. This program is designed to help attract the best and the brightest to the criminal justice vocation.

They can't fund these great programs alone, they need our help. According to Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum, the Institute will begin its annual Honorary Membership drive in Ulster County within the next few days. Any donations made are tax deductible. You could make a child's dream of summer camp or a college education possible with a simple donation. For more information, visit the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute website.