By Jeannette Demars

JC Post

The first ever Geary County Sheriff’s Department Community Involvement Team completed Camp SHIELD last week at the Rock Springs 4-H Center. Twenty-six youth from Geary County fifth and sixth grade schools were selected for the camp which stands for Sheriffs Helping to Inspire and Encourage through Leadership Development.

The students which included 14 boys and 12 girls, spent the week doing such activities as team building exercises, archery, shooting and a couple movie nights. An anti-alcohol class which involved driving a pedal car with “drunk goggles” gave the campers a simulation of how it is to try and navigate under the influence of alcohol.

Junction City-Geary County SWAT gave a demonstration and let the campers explore its command vehicle and see how the equipment works. Geary County Sheriff’s deputies gave them some understanding of fighting fires and even let the campers put on gear. Rock climbing, water games and more games rounded out the week which was four nights and five days.

Counselors for the camp were Sheriff’s Deputies, department civilian personnel and CIT Board members. Junction Police Department personnel assisted with the camp during the day.

Each of the campers were given a Camp SHIELD hoodie; two t-shirts, a water bottle, back pack, challenge coin, personal hygiene supplies, a certificate of completion, pens, pencils, key chains and a week of unforgettable memories.

Local law enforcement officers, school personnel and community members assisted in helping to identify which children in the community would benefit the most from attending Camp SHIELD.  There were several circumstances as to why a child was selected to attend the all-inclusive camp such as the student possibly worked extremely hard during the school year; he or she may have come upon a difficult time in their life, somebody may have referred the child because he or she could benefit from a positive experience.

Students attended the camp for free. All costs were paid for by CIT through its fund-raising efforts over the past three years. The camp costs approximately $14,000 in its entirety.

The Community Involvement Team is a non-profit 501c3 community coalition that aims at building a positive rapport between law enforcement members and the citizens of Geary County and surrounding communities.  The support of the local community is vital for the success of the organization. The CIT board is comprised of 15 law enforcement personnel and community members.

The Community Involvement Program currently participates in numerous events within Geary County to include Touch a Truck, 4H Fair, Junction City Block Party, Shop with a Cop, Operation Milford Santa, Sundown Salute, an Easter Egg Hunt and the Float your Boat event.  At the events CIT members are available to meet and greet with the citizens of Geary County and surrounding communities to provide children with water bottles, educational materials, crayons, junior deputy badges and more. The cost for these events alone exceeds $2,000 annually.

CIT can be contacted through its Facebook page, Geary County Sheriff’s Department Community Involvement Team; e-mail; GearyCountyCITTeam@aol.com; or call to leave a message at 785-210-3655. Its mailing address is: CIT – 826 N. Franklin St. – Junction City, KS 66441