Memphis Police Department's Summer Camp
With the increased amount of juvenile violence across the country, the Memphis Police
Department’s G.R.E.A.T. Unit, in an attempt to deter youth crime and violence, completed
its 2007 G.R.E.A.T. Summer Camps at the end of July. The camps consisted of 2 one-week
boys’ camps and 2 one-week girls’ camps. A combined total of 200 boys and girls
(aged 12−14) attended these camps daily. In our effort to battle the influence of
gangs and violence on youth and to prevent and intervene in delinquency, we have
found that the approach must be holistic. As G.R.E.A.T. officers, the officers assigned
to the Memphis Police Department’s G.R.E.A.T. Unit realize that life presents many
temptations and obstacles that often hinder youth from developing to their full
potential. The camps were designed to reinforce the concepts and objectives taught
during the 13-week G.R.E.A.T. core curriculum. During the Memphis Police Department’s
summer camps, the children learned about teamwork during the Awana games and how
important it is to work together to get the job done. Our thrust was to build and
strengthen sound character in the lives of at-risk young males and females. While
attending camp, our children learned discipline and structure through strong guidance,
therapy, and the appreciation of the consequences of their choices and resultant
behavior. Our summer camps were beneficial to those youth experiencing problems
with self-discipline, self-confidence, self-esteem, respecting authority, and personal
responsibility. The camps also consisted of several outings that taught the children
how to properly engage in social developmental functions. The children learned to
develop constructive interpersonal relationships with peers and adults, participated
in character-building courses and gang lectures, and received classes on sexually
transmitted diseases from the Memphis Health Department. The Memphis Police Department
has received several local accolades for hosting a summer camp that was full of
enrichment and nurturing skills that are needed in order to assist our youth in
becoming positive and productive citizens.
