TRI-STATE (WFIE) -
Summertime doesn't just mean festivals, it also means summer camps.
Going on right now are the Indiana State Police Summer Youth camps.
The Respect For Law camps are for kids in grades fifth through 12th and are being held at various colleges throughout the state.
Some fifth and sixth graders are spending some time with State Troopers at the University of Southern Indiana for ISP's annual Respect For Law camp. The camps are designed to teach students more about law enforcement.
"We are learning how to respect the law and basically respect everything else," said camper Brady Dyer.
"It allows them to get to know law enforcement kind of on a personal level. We come out, we march with them, we show them what police do, safety tips, just general life lessons and they get to have some fun with police officers," Camp Director Toni Walden said.
The overnight camp features different events and activities that teach the campers about discipline and respect.
Friday, all 96 campers got to watch a special S.W.A.T. demonstration. Dyer says it's been one of his favorite activities so far.
"Yes, it was awesome. They jumped off of walls and they showed us a bunch of guns. It was just awesome."
Walden says another important aspect of camp is teaching the youngsters not to be afraid of law enforcement officials.
"Whenever they come here and we're in shorts and t-shirts and they know we're police officers, they let their hair down and they have a lot of fun with us."
Perry Township Fire Department also put on a fire demo for campers Friday. The last day is tomorrow.
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