Application Deadline April 14
The Newport News Police Department is accepting
applications for the 2017 Youth Leadership Camp. Established in 2007, the camp is held each summer at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown and focuses on leadership development, character building, life skills, physical fitness, and promotes a healthy drug-free lifestyle. Officers engage teens by discussing youth-related topics and demonstrating real-time policing tactics, hands-on training, and activities, while teaching the importance of leadership, character and life skills. The program is fully funded by donations from sponsors including
Riverside,
Miller's and the
Newport News Police Foundation. The U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown provides lodging for the camp.
To apply to the free five-day, four-night camp, students must obtain an application from the Student Resource Officer at their school and submit it before the April 14 deadline. Applications can also be obtained by contacting MPO Dennis Pointer at
pointerdj@nnva.gov. Applicants must:
• be between 13 to 17 years old;
• enrolled in school and be in good standing; and
• a resident of Newport News or York County, be a dependent of a Newport News city employee or active duty military dependent.
The Youth Leadership Camp has given teenagers the opportunity to interact with Newport News police officers and deputies from the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office. One objective of the camp is to help teens learn teamwork, communication and leadership skills, as well as build on trust, respect, self-esteem and responsibility – character traits that could help give teens a better chance at achieving their personal, academic and professional goals. Also, the camp exposes teens to positive experiences with police officers that could help teens better understand their roles in their communities and the importance of public service.
Demonstrations, training and activities may include, but are not limited to:
• Active Fire Containment
• Land & Marine Navigation
• Calisthenics & Obstacle Course
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Physical Training
• Search & Recovery
• Swim & Water Rescue
• Leadership & Teamwork Building
• U.S. Coast Guard Physical Assessment Test
Since 2007, more than 500 teens have participated in the Youth Leadership Camp – some have become police officers and others have joined the military or have been recruited by large local corporations.