The New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute’s 2014 Summer Camp is host to 28 children from St. Lawrence County, according to St. Lawrence County Sheriff Kevin M. Wells.

The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp is designed to provide a solid recreational program combined with the development of a sense of good citizenship. This will mark the 37th year of the camp’s operation.

The Sheriffs’ Summer Camp, on Keuka Lake 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.

“This is a great opportunity for our county youth and I personally thank St. Lawrence County residents for donating and making this possible,” Sheriff Wells said. The camp “is designed to provide a child who ordinarily would not have the chance, an opportunity to go away during the summer.

“The primary objective is to create positive interaction between the kids attending camp and the Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs and counselors who participate in the camp programs. We have found from experiences during the first 36 summer camps that the kids develop a renewed respect and understanding for the men and women who enforce the laws and come away with a broad base of life skills from the various programs throughout the week. Throughout the 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.”