Camp HERO Coming To KosciuskoKosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes wants to show kids what he does for his job.
Dukes plans to do that, along with other local law enforcement and first responder agencies, by hosting a three-day experience for youngsters ages 8 to 13 called Camp HERO.
"I learned about Camp HERO from the Huntington County sheriff, and it's such a success down there that I wanted to bring it up here to Kosciusko County," Dukes said. "At the end of the day, law enforcement and first responders have to start at an early age developing positive relationships and we have to start showing these kids what we do for our job."
The camp is slated for 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 6 to 8 at the Blue Barn Berry Farm & Event Center, 9139 N. CR 300E, Warsaw. Cost is $50 per child and includes a T-shirt. Breakfast and lunch will also be served, compliments of the Blue Barn, the sheriff said.
Local EMS, fire departments, SWAT, bomb squad, K-9 units, Indiana State Police, Warsaw Police Department, the dive team and the sheriff's marine patrol are just some agencies lined up to show what their jobs entail. Dukes said he doesn't have an exact list of what law enforcement and first responders will be at the camp, but "no one said no, let's put it that way."
Applications are available online from the forms category under the Sheriff's Office section at www.kcgov.com. Once completed, the applications can be turned in at the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office, 221 W. Main St., Warsaw, to the attention of Chief Deputy Shane Bucher; or emailed to sbucher@kcgov.com. Applications are due by July 17.
If a parent or guardian would like a child to attend the camp but cannot afford the $50 fee, they can contact Bucher or Sgt. Chris Francis at 574-267-5667. Anyone wanting more information, or businesses who would like to help sponsor the camp, should use the same contact information above.
"I want to get them excited," Dukes said. "Get them to excited to be a police officer or a fireman or EMS. Nobody wants to do this job anymore."
