York police summer camp will introduce kids to local emergency responders
The York Police Department will hold two summer camps next month to give kids a chance to get up close and personal with local emergency responders.
The first camp will be June 6-10 for children ages 8 to 12, and the second camp will be June 13-17 for children ages 13 to 18.
On each day of the weeklong camp, participants will learn from a different emergency response agency, including York Police, York Fire Department and Piedmont EMS. The Rock Hill Police Department bomb squad will bring its robots, and the last day of the camp will feature a visit from the medical helicopter at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
York Police Lt. Dale Edwards said Chief Andy Robinson adapted the idea from similar camps at other police agencies.
“They ride by and see this stuff in their neighborhoods, they see this stuff on the side of the road,” Edwards said, “so let’s show them what we’re actually doing.”
Edwards said they hope the camp participants will be less afraid of the emergency responders and their equipment if they ever have to call for help.
“Maybe this will get some of these kids interested in that as a possible future goal,” he said.
In addition to the tours and demonstrations with the emergency agencies, Edwards said participants will take part in outdoor activities and sports. The camp is free, and lunch will be provided for the children each day.
Edwards said each camp is limited to 25 participants. For more information or to sign up, call 803-684-4141.
Teddy Kulmala: 803-329-4082, @teddy_kulmala
This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "York police summer camp will introduce kids to local emergency responders."