Upper Marlboro, MD…The Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Community Partnership Section (CPS) launched its Deputies Assisting Youth (D.A.Y.) Corps Summer Camps Program. Although the first day was delayed by last week’s storm, the CPS launched the first of two sessions for young people from the eight middle schools where Sheriff’s Deputies are assigned during the school year. The D.A.Y. Corps Summer Program is designed to continue the encouragement and development of young people through their interaction with deputies.
The first session, held at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Temple Hills, includes 15 cadets whose day began by learning how to properly raise and lower the American and Maryland flags. After an early morning fitness routine, the cadets participated in classroom sessions with Deputies, Sheriff’s Explorers Post1696 members and guests who spoke on a variety of subjects such as bullying, etiquette, proper grooming and constructive and positive self-image.
“The camps are a great opportunity to continue to work with young people during the pivotal middle school years,” said Sgt. Hines, D.A.Y. Corps director and supervisor of the CPS. “In a world that is more complicated than ever, our goal is to facilitate good social and problem-solving skills, and to make our camps an exciting experience for campers.
The experience encourages them to be good citizens at home, at school and in their communities.”
Guest speakers in the first week included Chuck Smalley of the eMPAS Group that teaches hard work and excellence to youth, providing them with examples of the importance of education and entrepreneurship and conflict resolution, while making it fun. Smalley’s presentation included cast members from his anti-bullying stage play entitle “Give Me Your Lunch Money.”
In addition, local hairstylist Patricia Cheeks from Divine and Beauty Hair Salon in Temple Hills, MD and local master barber and former Sheriff’s Explorer Post advisor Lavon Lucas from the Largo One Barber Shop provided hair and skincare grooming tips – with demonstrations.
The first week also included a field trip and tour of TV News Channel 9, where campers met and talked with Washington D.C. icon J.C. Hayward. Other topics and field trips for the camp include conflict resolution, career and educational goal setting, a tour of the University of Maryland in College Park and the Bureau of Engraving in Washington, D.C.
The D.A.Y. Corps’ second session will be held July 23rd- August 3rd at Thomas Johnson Middle School.
For more information contact the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.