Last year we set out to come up with a program to educate children in our community about all things related to life both inside and outside the life of law enforcement, fire department, EMS and Homeland security. Our mission was a simple one, to show the kids the following:
What it is like to be in the public safety field. Break down barriers between them and us. Develop relationships and trust.
We came up with a program called Camp H.E.R.O . (Honor, Excellence, Respect and Opportunity). It was centered around kids between the ages of 8-13 and was hosted by counselors (Police Officers, EMS, Fire Department and Emergency Management personnel. It lasted a week and was held at Crestview Middle School during the week of July 15th-19th. I am writing this for several reasons. I would like to personally thank each and every one of the counselors for giving up their time and their departments for allowing them the time to participate and for all of the parents for bringing their kids to the camp each day. We only expected to have 20-30 kids for this first year but were shocked when 105 registered and attended last year.. I had the privilege to speak to the kids and their parents on graduation night about the camp week and some of things that all of the kids were able to be part of and I wanted to share it with rest of the community. The key word that I used throughout the week and especially during the graduation night was the word “PROUD”. Proud because each and every one of the kids that came here and attended the camp that week... I felt certain on the first day that many of them didn't know their left foot from the right foot. We wanted to make certain that the same respect that was given to all of us was carried on when they went home to their parents. By the end of the week many of the counselors were certain that these couldn’t be the same kids that they met the first day. All of the things that we were hoping to show and teach the kids were being demonstrated, by them, after only one week (PROUD). We came up with the name Camp HERO for a reason... Those that do not know what the HERO stands for is this.. H- Honor
E- Excellence
R- Responsibility...... We drove this point over and over to them what these words stood for and what they meant... If each of them lived each day by these three simple words then the doors would be opened up now and in the future for this final word.. O- Opportunity
All of the programs and activities were developed and placed into our daily schedule... keeping these four words in mind. I would like thank each one of the presenters while at the same time showing the public what it is that the kids were able to be part of each day while at the camp. Monday:
Huntington City's Police K-9 Unit- Showed them what their K-9 does on a daily work day. By showing their K-9 drug sniffing ability and what happens when the "Bad Guy" decides to take off running. Sheriff Terry Stoffel taught the Drug and Alcohol Resistance and Education program also known as DARE...
Parkview Huntington EMS- Showed the kids some of their "tools of the trade" including showing them how to do CPR. Parkview Samaritan- Landed on the field and they were able to look through the helicopter, speak to the Pilot, Nurse and Paramedic. They learned to march for the first time......
Tuesday:
Indiana State Police Bomb Team came in and blew up several things. Indiana State Police SWAT or ERT team came in. They brought all of their equipment that they carry with them. The kids were given the opportunity to try some of their stuff on and see what it was like to be a SWAT member. School Resource Officer Brian Double was here to speak to the kids about what the words Camp HERO stands for. County Coroner Phil Zahm spoke to the kids about what his job is like and some the dangers out their facing them right now. Wednesday:
Detective Shane Jones spoke to them about handgun and long gun safety. Huntington City Fire Department brought their "Smoke Trailer" in to show the kids how to safely get out of a burning building or home. Huntington City Fire Department also demonstrated their rescue equipment by removing the top of a car and a car door of two vehicles that been involved in a collision. Huntington City officer Duane Goings was here to speak to the kids about drinking and driving or operating a vehicle while impaired. We then took the kids out to the football field and let them put on "fatal vision" or "drunk goggles" and operate a golf cart around some construction cones to see the effects of what impaired vision can do when alcohol is involved. Thursday:
National Guard was here bringing in some of their equipment like the Humvees, night vision goggles and some of their weaponry. We then marched over to the YMCA where the kids were greeted by Conservation Officers who taught them how to save either themselves or someone else that may be struggling in the water. Conservation SCUBA divers then took each child underwater and let them buddy breath under the water with the Officer so they could see what it was like. In the evening Comedian David Dean was on hand to do a comedy act for everyone. Ending with a car day this morning where every Public Safety agency in this county brought out all of their squad cars, fire trucks, ambulances, Coroners vehicle and Emergency Management vehicle so the kids could look at each and ask questions. As you can see...... We had a busy week filled with excitement.. And although it was a HOT one..... These kids endured and overcame it and pushed forward and that is why we are so proud of them and what they have learned and accomplished in such a short period of time....
None of this would have happened without the help of all of the counselors that were their everyday. Each of them gave up their time at work and time from their families so they could be with yours. Their commitment and dedication to the Camp is what has made it such a success. Coroner Phil Zahm
Detective Malcom Jones
Officer Scott Craft
Captain Chad Hacker
Police Chief E.J. Carroll
Officer Brian Double
Detective Chris McCutcheon
Paramedic Katie Adelman
Paramedic Amy Wells
Firefighter Jason Meier
Fire Marshal Wayne Huff
Huntington Comm. School Corp. Rod Richison
Emergency Management Alyssa Prickett
Volunteer Stephanie Antedoins
All of us did this for the kids and we enjoyed every moment of it. By the end of the week we were all hoping that the kids were able to take something home from us but, I believe that we too took something home from each of them. We were there for the kids but as it turned out the kids were there more for us. A special thank you to everyone that made this such a success:
Huntington YMCA
Police Athletic League
Huntington University
El Shadaii
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #77
Shane Whitacre
Breyers
Andrews Lions Club
Carter Lumber
Bippus State Bank
Owens
Clear Creek Golf Course
Clarks Auto Salvage
A Plus Towing
Huntington Co. Community School Corporation
Crestview Middle School and their Janitorial staff
Sheriff Terry Stoffel
Mayor Brooks Fetters
In closing I am reminded of a quote by Emma Goldman, author. "No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true educator should be to unlock that treasure." I feel like WE were a part unlocking that treasure in these kids this past week. And I once again would like to thank those that either, participated or donated, for being part of that......
Major Chris Newton
Huntington Co. Sheriff's Dept.
