Look at the faces and you will understand Sheriffs' Camp...

The greatest asset that New York State has is its youth.

The development and enhancement of this priceless asset takes a universal effort. The Sheriffs of New York State, in partnership with their honorary members, take an active role in nurturing the development of our children.

The cornerstone of this commitment is the Sheriffs’ Summer Camp. The Sheriffs’ Camp, which just completed it’s 30th year of operation, has hosted over 11,000 boys and girls who, if not for this opportunity, wouldn’t have had the chance for a summer camp experience or, more realistically, a summer vacation.

These children, who come from economically challenged family environments, are given more than a summer camp experience. They, through a positive and fun environment, learn the value of self esteem; the value of working with their peers; the value of setting goals and fulfilling those goals. They are given a principled foundation to build a future.

They are also given hope, and a window to glance through, to see how the path can lead them to a productive and meaningful life.

Deputy Sheriff Ladd Dawson knows a commitment to caring and making an effort make all the difference

Ladd Dawson is a Deputy Sheriff with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. Almost 15 years ago Ladd Dawson got off a camp bus and first laid eyes on the Sheriffs’ Camp.

“I was greeted by a short guy, built like a fireplug and decorated with a mustache,” Dawson recalled with a chuckle. “He was smiling at me and telling me to do as much as I wanted and to ease into the program. It didn’t take long to realize two things, there is no easing into the program and you go all out all the time for the kids.” Ladd feels that camp’s daily curriculum is the blue print that makes the staff and deputy sheriff’s contributions so effective and meaningful. He likes the fact that kids get some structure everyday.

“The kids are given simple rules to live by,” Dawson said of the camp’s curriculum. “These rules, such as be kind to each other, respect each other as individuals and give a little of yourself to the common good of all. And if you break those rules there are consequences.”

Deputy Dawson feels that the commitment of the staff is a critical ingredient to meeting the challenges of reaching and helping these kids.

“You have a group of kids (counselors) who could be anywhere in the world for the summer – nine to five jobs and home with their family and friends,” Ladd said. “But for less money and much longer hours, they choose to come to the Sheriffs’ Camp. When the six weeks ends they are totally exhausted. They only have the strength to talk about working at camp next year.”

But a huge part of this commitment, both by the counselors and the deputy sheriffs, deals with the satisfaction of helping these kids who so desperately need love, attention and compassion. It’s those memories that so greatly infl uence their own lives.

To that end, Ladd Dawson recalled a girl who was homesick and determined to walk the 120 miles home. Ladd made it his personal mission to help her through her homesickness. She stayed up a little later and joined Ladd as he made rounds to insure the cabins were quiet. He gave her some extra snacks. As the week moved on, she enjoyed more and more the activities of camp life. She cried when she left. “Two years ago, I got a letter from this girl who was now in high school,” Ladd recalled. “She wrote to tell me she had gone on a class trip to Washington D.C. and one of her classmates was very homesick. Because of the camp and me, she was able to help the girl and make the trip a positive one.

That letter is what the Sheriffs’ Camp is about.”