By Sylene Argent
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
72 lucky students were able to enjoy a five-day camping experience at GessTwood Camp and Education Centre as part of the 28th Essex County OPP Cop Camp, which took place from August 24-28.
The campers are recent grads from the Grade 6 Knowledge, Issues, Decisions, Supports (KIDS) program from local OPP policed communities. These participants were selected by their teachers to earn a spot on the camp roster, where they had a full schedule of activities to enjoy amongst new peers and the around 20 OPP Officers and civilian employees who volunteered to run the camp.
In addition, Junior Counsellors also volunteer to be onsite to help run the camp. Some of them once participated in the camp and are now wanting to give back.
In fact, this year’s Essex County OPP Cop Camp’s theme was “Pay it Forward,” OPP Constable Steven Duguay noted, while encouraging youths to work together on the ropes course as they worked on their team building skills.
It is hoped these youths will go back into their municipalities and find ways they can support their communities and relay what they learned over the course of the Essex County OPP Cop Camp to others, Duguay explained. It is also hoped they will find ways to volunteer.
In addition to enjoying the camping experience, students had the opportunity to make new friends through activities designed to help them get to know each other, participate in team fitness activities and games, play mini golf, enjoy a movie night at a theatre, swim, learn archery, be dazzled by professional magician Ron Gudel, and show off their own skills in the “Cop Camp Has Talent” showcase.
They also enjoyed a night of dance, thanks to DJ Shawn, and a fireworks display. They also took a field trip to Cedar Beach Marina, where half of the campers went fishing, sponsored by Chante Fishing Charters, and the other half got to take a sailing adventure, sponsored by Cedar Island Yacht Club.
They were also able to learn about the various forms of policing, as the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), K-9officer, and Essex County OPP Marine Unit made visits to the camp.
The camping week ended with the annual graduation ceremony.
The Essex County OPP Cop Camp would not be able to continue without its long list of sponsors, and the community members who always step up and support the various fundraisers the Steering Committee hosts in support of this annual camp, Duguay added.
Thanks to that support, all of the youths are able to have a great time, learn, and connect.