GREENSBURG - What do you get when two local youth organizations partner up whose missions are "Bringing out the best in kids" and "Building strong kids"? Six Greensburg students got the chance to attend a three-day camp packed full of fun, friendship, and lifelong lessons.
The Decatur County Family YMCA and the Greensburg Optimist Club partnered earlier this summer to serve a few of the community’s youth by sending them to the Indiana State Police Department’s "Respect for Law" camp at Hanover College. Optimist member and retired school teacher Bill Wenning spearheaded the effort by securing funds from the Optimist group and personal donations by its members to send up to six local sixth graders to the camp free of charge. To help identify targeted youth, Wenning turned to fellow Optimist member and YMCA Director, Devon Brown.
"Sometimes it’s all about having the right connection to help an idea get wings. Devon was able to give this idea ‘wings’ from his work with the local youth," stated Wenning.
Brown was able to hand pick youth identified as leaders and youth that flourish from having such an opportunity from his after school drug prevention program (Afternoons ROCK) that was held earlier in the year at Greensburg Elementary.
The camp was a three-day commitment that also served as many of the chosen youth’s first time away from home in an overnight camp setting.
"These kids will remember this opportunity for a lifetime. I still have fond memories of the leadership camps that I attended as a youth," commented Brown.
The students spent their time learning police formations, getting to work with a real bomb squad, entertaining a K-9 unit, and forming bonds with students across the state. The students earned their very own commencement ceremony to mark their new responsibility as a youth leader.
"My favorite part was getting to drive the golf carts with the Drunk Buster Goggles (a tool used to simulate impaired driving). It was hard and I had to do a lot of pushups for knocking cones over," remarked Christian Dance, one of the campers.
The campers capped off their experience by attending the Optimist’s morning meeting Thursday with a slideshow of pictures, a question-and-answer section for the members, and with personal "thank yous" for the club.
For more information on how to become a member of the Optimist Club or the ROCK program provided by the YMCA, please call Devon Brown at 812-663-YMCA (9622).
News
Related Photos
-
contributed photo
YMCA, Optimists Help Local Youth Become Leaders
- News
-
-
Williams addresses Tea Party, fields questions
Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part series about a recent Tea Party event in which local candidates Lora Williams and Don Bates appeared, addressing issues and answering questions.
-
Occupants escape without injury
Tuesday night fire in Lake McCoy destroyed the bungalow-style home of three Decatur County residents.
-
Two dead in Tuesday night crash
Two Decatur County residents are dead following a single vehicle accident on U.S. Highway 421 North Tuesday night.
-
DCMH has significant economic impact
Decatur County Memorial Hospital (DCMH) began serving the community 90 years ago, on Feb. 4, 1922, and has long been recognized as the leading healthcare provider in the county.
-
Bates addresses Tea Party, fields questions
Editor's note: This is the first of a two-part series about a recent Tea Party event in which local candidates Lora Williams and Don Bates appeared, addressing issues and answering questions important to Tea Party voters.
-
Statehouse action resumes after game break
After a time-out to accommodate out-of-town Super Bowl visitors, the Indiana General Assembly is back in session to tackle legislation that had been bottlenecked by a contentious labor bill.
-
Super Bowl experience was a winner
If praise and adulation put points on the scoreboard, then Indianapolis had a blowout victory hosting its first Super Bowl.
-
DCCF announces grant opportunities
The Board of Directors of the Decatur County Community Foundation (DCCF) is pleased to announce it will continue a variety of grant opportunities available for 2012 from the unrestricted pool of funds.
-
Meth lab numbers continue to rise
The Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section was started in January 2006.
That year, there were 803 meth labs dismantled around the state. -
Daffodil Days program inspires hope
Decatur County residents can fight back against cancer and share hope for those facing the disease by supporting the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days.
- More News Headlines
-
Williams addresses Tea Party, fields questions
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
