DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office extends free summer camp from one week to one month

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for participation in Sheriff Melody Maddox’s free 30-day summer youth camp.

Now in its third year, the summer youth camp will be held June 1 to June 30. DeKalb County residents ages 9 through 16 are eligible.
This year’s camp has been extended based on demand, stated officials.

“Parents and guardians across DeKalb endorse our unique, law enforcement-based approach to summer camp,” said Maddox. “They say the experience was inspirational and life changing for their children. Encouraged by their response, we expanded the program from a week to 30 days this year, and community supporters have rallied to our support.”

Although the first camp was only open to boys, the camp expanded to a boys and girls program last year and grew significantly, stated officials.

“Partners with the sheriff’s office include the DeKalb Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), which coordinated the ‘Girls-to-Pearls’ program last year,” stated a press release from the sheriff’s office. “Since the program began as ‘Boys-to-Men’ in 2021, the now co-ed camp has successfully equipped more than 60 young boys and girls with practical life skills by exposing them to role models and behaviors to help fulfill their dreams as adults.”

According to officials, the schedule of classes and recreational activities during this year’s camp will feature presentations by DeKalb Sheriff’s deputies, NCNW members, civic and social organizations, business and professional leaders, and community volunteers.
Previous classes and activities have included teaching young boys to tie a tie, etiquette classes, how to communicate and interact with law enforcement, and how to stop bullies among other topics.

For this year’s camp, applicants must submit a written essay by May 12 on the topic “Why I Would Like to Attend Boys to Men/Girls to Pearls Camp.”

Those interested in applying should submit the essay as an email to DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Manager Lisa Wiley at lwiley@dekalbcountyga.gov by the deadline.

For more information, visit www.dekalbsheriff.org.