The New York State Sheriffs’ Institute will begin its annual Honorary Membership drive in St. Lawrence County first week of April as a fundraising effort for summer camp for economically challenged children.

Financial support for many of the Sheriffs’ Institute programs comes from Honorary Membership dues. Invitations for Honorary Membership are extended on a non-partisan basis, and the invitees are selected at random. Any persons interested in supporting the efforts of the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute by becoming an Honorary Member should contact the Sheriff if they do not receive an invitation in the mail, or visit our website at: www.sheriffsinstitute.org to download an application.

The flagship program of the Sheriffs’ Institute is the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp which is in its 45th year of operation, on Keuka Lake with 840 children from across New York State attending each summer, according to Sheriff Brooks Bigwarfe.

The Sheriffs’ Institute pays the entire cost of the camp stay and transportation. Most children attending wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity for vacation travel or a summer camp experience.

The Sheriffs’ Camp program combines summer recreation with activities designed to teach an understanding of, and respect for, our laws and the men and women who enforce them. The strong camper to counselor ratio allows for individual attention with an emphasis on the development of self esteem.

In addition, the Sheriffs’ Institute operates a scholarship program that provides one scholarship to each of New York State’s Community College’s Criminal Justice Programs.

For more information visit www.sheriffsinstitute.org .