Keep children busy at summer camp so they'll stay out of trouble

"For the two and half, three months during the summer time kids are at home by themselves and sometimes that means they can get into trouble," said Lt. Richard Corbett, Caddo Sheriff's Office Safety Town.

    Parents usually don't get the summer off from work which can create a risky situation.  It's a reality seen way too often by Juvenile Court Administrator Ted Cox.

"Unfortunately, the kids (who) walk the streets they tend to get in trouble," Cox said.

    But being stuck in the house doesn't always nip it in the bud, either.

"Kids are inside, climate-controlled, masters of their domain, but... sometimes it's doing things that only adults should be doing," Corbett said.

     There are major consequences.  If a teen or preteen gets into trouble they're summer freedom could end at a place like the Caddo Juvenile Detention Center.  Cox doesn't want to see it happen to any more young people because once they're in the system, it's hard for them to get back on the straight and narrow.  

    One solution: Keeping them busy all summer at camp.  Safety Town is having camps throughout the summer.

"We're informing these kids, we're providing them with information designed to keep them safe," Corbett said.

    Cox said camps are a great option for parents. Yet, he still has some serious advice.

"Be sure you know what they're doing, where they're going, who they're hanging out with," Cox said.

    Here is a list of some summer camps being offered in the Shreveport-Bossier area:

Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office

Safety Town Mini Camps - June 11^th through August  2^nd

1^st & 2^nd Grades:
Mondays, 9 AM - 11 AM or 12 PM - 2 PM * 9-1-1 * Gun Safety * Stranger Danger * Water Safety * Animal Safety * Fire & Smoke Safety * Motor Vehicle / Seat Belt Safety

3^rd & 4^th Grades:
Tuesdays, 9 AM - 1 PM * 9-1-1 * Gun Safety * Stranger Danger * Water Safety * Animal Safety * Motor Vehicle / Seat Belt Safety * Bicycle Safety

5^th & 6^th Grades:
Wednesdays, 9 AM - 1 PM * 9-1-1 * Internet Safety * Gun Safety * Stranger Danger * Water Safety * Animal Safety * Motor Vehicle / Seat Belt Safety * Bicycle Safety 

7^th & 8^th Grades:
Thursdays, 9 AM - 1 PM * 9-1-1 * Internet Safety * Motor Vehicle / Seat Belt Safety * Bicycle Safety * CSI Mini Camp

Participation is free-of-charge. Pre-Registration is required as space is limited. For additional information and/or to register, call 318-698-SAFE (7233).  To register, contact Angie Wilson at Sheriff's Safety Town at 698-7233.

Sheriff's Camp
The overnight camp will be held June 10-13 at the Garland Scout Ranch near Stonewall. Boys between the ages of 10 and 13 are eligible to attend the camp, which is conducted by the Caddo Sheriff's Office and Boy Scouts of America, Norwela Council. The camp recognizes at-risk boys from Caddo Parish for good behavior and academic achievements and introduces them to the scouting program.  Transportation to and from camp is provided, and funding is made possible through citizen donations. Applications can be obtained from the Boy Scout office by calling 868-2774.

Youth Firearms Education Camp
Five one-day mini camps will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 18-22 at the Sheriff's Regional Training Academy at 15639 Highway One South. Boys and girls ages 10-14 may select any day during the week to join Caddo deputies on the firing range for supervised firearms safety education and .22 rifle target shooting. Each camp session begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. The Academy is located at 15639 Highway One South. The camp is free and transportation is available if needed. To register, contact Deputy Andrea Samuel at 681-0735. Applications for the Firearms Camp can also be obtained on-line at www.caddosheriff.org or picked up at any Caddo Sheriff's Office substation, Caddo Correctional Center, or Sheriff's Safety Town. An application can also be obtained by clicking here

The Red River Children's Choir is back and will be offering a one week summer camp this summer July 30 - August 3rd. Each day students ages 7-12 years old will sing their hearts out while getting quality instruction in the vocal arts. In addition to singing we'll be doing lots of fun activities from 9am-4pm daily. Students need to bring a sack lunch and register by July 25. Registration is $150/student.

Cinderella Kids extravaganza: The Red River Performing Arts Academy will hold a musical theatre camp July 16-27. Classes will take place Monday - Friday from 9am-4pm and culminate in a two night performance. Students ages 7-16 years old will act, sing, and dance during this week of fun. Roles from stage hands to Prince Charming and more are available as we learn the ins and outs of musical theatre. The camp costs $250/student and students need to bring a sack lunch each day. At the end of the two weeks they'll perform! 

Both of these camps will be held at Noel United Methodist Church, 520 Herndon Street, Shreveport, LA. To register, call (318) 221-5207 or go online to www.noelumc.org/summer to print a registration form.  For more information please visit our website at www.redriverperformingartsacademy.org or find us on facebook www.facebook.com/RRPArts

Summer Camp Begins: June 4^th; Last Day of Camp is Aug. 10^th; Ages: 6-17; Camp hours: 8am-6pm M-F

Campers will be participating in the following:  Field Trips, Law & Youth Academy sponsored by SPD, Swimming, Spray Park, Games, Exercises, Dance, Parties, Basketball Camp Sponsored by SPD

Camp Sites: Airport Park, Andrew Currie, Bilberry Park, Bill Cockrell Park, Chris Hayes Park, Hattie Perry Park, Hollywood Heights Park, Lakeside Park, Mamie Hicks Park, Querbes Park, Southern Hills Park, Sunset Acres Park, Valencia Park.

Midnight Basketball: June 11- July 3^rd; July 9-20 Playoffs; July 21st Championship games Location TBA

Sites: Airport Park, Lakeside, A.B. Palmer, Southern Hills, Bill Cockrell.

Presentation days/times: Monday 6:15pm & 8:15pm Tuesday 6:15 & 8:15pm

Games days/times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm