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Sheriff’s Badge Our Programs

Youth Leadership Camp

Group photo of kids at camp.

The Indiana Sheriffs Leadership Camp, founded in 1980, was established by sheriffs in order to aid and enhance the development of the state’s youth. Originally called the Indiana Sheriffs Career Camp, the camp’s name was changed in 2003 to go along with a new curriculum.

The program is designed to achieve three basic objectives. First, the sheriffs want to foster a stronger relationship between our state’s youth and the men and women who enforce the laws. Second, the sheriffs want to give children, who ordinarily would not have the opportunity, a chance for a summer camp experience. Third, to give youth a chance to build character and inspire leadership skills.

Sheriffs’ deputies who establish positive and friendly relationships with campers are smoothly integrated into recreational learning experiences. Team sports are also emphasized as a vehicle to reach comradeship and discipline. These qualities, learned at a young age, can last a lifetime.

2024 Youth Leadership Camp Application will be coming soon. 

Youth Leadership camp activity. Kids helping each other up a steep hill.

Sheriffs and deputies spend a great deal of time with the kids

Sheriffs’ deputies who establish positive and friendly relationships with campers are smoothly integrated into recreational learning experiences. Team sports are also emphasized as a vehicle to reach comradeship and discipline. These qualities, learned at a young age, can last a lifetime.

Many of the deputies conduct demonstrations in the fields of boat and water safety, K-9 demonstrations, defensive tactics and leadership skills, just to mention a few.

Group photo of adults at camp.

As part of the program’s emphasis on youth development and good citizenship, guest lecturers, who provide informative programs on how our government works and why our laws exist, are enlisted to speak to the campers. Other programs are geared to teach the campers of drug and alcohol abuse. It is the sheriffs’ goal to teach every child a healthy respect for our laws and our democratic process.

Group photo of kids at camp.