Sheriffs' Summer Camp

Upon completion of their stay, all children will be awarded a diploma for their participation in a program of “Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies.”

2016 marked the 40th year of the camp’s operation, supported by the Sheriffs’ Association’s Honorary Members through their contributions and annual dues. This year the camp will accommodate over 900 deserving boys and girls from across New York State for one-week periods. “It’s rewarding to see the kids excited and looking forward to their time at summer camp. For some of these kids, this is the first time they will have an experience like this, leaving life-long memories” said Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley.

Sheriff’s Summer Camp Kickoff

Fourteen Local Kids & Deputy Sheriff Attending July 31, 2017

Fourteen Madison County children boarded a charter bus Sunday afternoon on their way to the 2017 New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s Summer Camp, located near Penn Yan, NY on Keuka Lake. The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp provides a solid recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. This is the 40th year of the camp’s operation.

The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp, which is located near Penn Yan in Yates County, is supported by the Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s Honorary Members through their contributions and annual dues. This year the camp will accommodate over 900 deserving boys and girls from across New York State. Undersheriff Ball stated “This is a great opportunity for the kids in our County to go to summer camp, and I want to personally thank the Madison County residents for becoming honorary members and making this possible. It really is all about the kids.”            

In discussing the objectives and goals of the camp, the Undersheriff said, “the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp Program is designed to provide a child who ordinarily would not have the chance, an opportunity to go away during the summer.” Ball further pointed out that, “The primary objective is to create positive interaction between the kids attending camp and the Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs who participate in the camp programs. We have found from experiences during the first 39 summer camps that the kids develop a renewed respect and understanding for the men and women who enforce the laws.

“The deputies become their friends and in some cases substitute parents for a week,” the Undersheriff stated. Ball also announced that Madison County Deputy Sheriff Krystyna Rotella will be at the camp throughout the week as a camp counselor, working with kids from Madison County, as well as kids all over New York State. “Having our deputy there the same week as our kids gives us even a better chance of having that positive experience, and giving the kids a real opportunity to have a friend in law enforcement that they know and can trust.”

This year, fourteen local kids are attending the Sheriff’s Summer Camp; Nicholas and Bella Crafton of Oneida; Melody Cross-Barnes of Peterboro; Alora Evans of Oneida; Carolanne Hopkins of Madison; Khai Hopkins of Oneida; Trinity Kampf of Brookfield; Chantria Mayton of Oneida; Navaeh Singh of Oneida; Lavella and Navaeh Whipple of Oneida; Brooke and Nevaeh Winchell of Oneida, and Izaya Miles of Wampsville.

During their week-long stay, the children observe special exhibits and demonstrations presented by Sheriffs’ Offices from across the State. Included in these presentations are D.A.R.E. presentations, boat and bike safety programs, law enforcement equipment and technical demonstrations, archery competitions for accuracy and even a talent show just for fun. Upon completion of their stay, all children will be awarded a diploma for their participation in a program of “Good Citizenship and Law Enforcement Studies.”