The Illinois Youth Police Camp is being held for the first time at Touch of Nature.
The Illinois Youth Police Camp started in the Metro East around 15 years ago with a mission to instill discipline and direction in 13- to 17-year-olds.
Camp Coordinator Joey Watson started volunteering at the camp in 2014 and wanted to bring it to Southern Illinois teenagers.
“Initially it's it's a little bit has a little bit of a boot camp feel at the very beginning. But kids these days crave structure as we know here we are in the summer outside of school. They crave that structure. They crave a positive mentor.”
Tuesday the cadets participated in first responders day, giving them the opportunity to interact with their vehicles and tools and gain insight into their work.
