Police Camp 2024 concluded on March 23, 2024 and it is safe to say, the 60 students who took part didn’t want it to end. Even after a week of early mornings, long days and late nights, the youth from 17 local secondary schools had a difficult time saying goodbye to their fellow participants and their newfound friends within the police services.
For those of us at the GVPF, it means this year’s objectives were accomplished!
Police Camp is a leadership program for youth which helps to build self-confidence, life skills and resilience in a team-based environment, while also forging long-term bonds with fellow participants and the police officers who volunteer their time and expertise.
This year marked the second year the Greater Victoria Police Foundation (GVPF) has organized and funded this life-changing program for young people and it builds upon the success of a similar program that ran in the CRD from 1996 to 2014.
Over 100 applicants applied for 60 spots, showcasing the interest in this program and the appetite among our region’s youth for unique and innovative programs that will challenge and inspire them.
Topics covered included:
- bias and racism
- career-planning
- controlled substances
- emergency response
- forensics
- life-planning
- major crime
- marine policing experience
- mental health and policing
- note-taking
- police dog demonstration
- self-defense
- social media
- traffic investigations
The multi-modal learning took place via simulations, group projects, physical literacy programs including fitness, confidence building and team-building exercises.
Eryn Keser, one of this year’s participants said that “Police Camp has taught me to be a leader and I’ve learned how to make connections with people.” This was a common theme mentioned by many of those that attended.
Kim Basi, a retired member of the Saanich Police Department and Director of Police Camp, isn’t surprised. “The transformation of these youth from the first time I interview them through graduation is astounding. Many of the participants were introverted and insecure at the beginning, and by the end they are confident, proud and deeply connected – to each other and to their community.”
There’s lots more we can say about Police Camp, but we believe that this video best tells the story.
Police Camp wouldn’t be possible without the support of many people. The GVPF is grateful for the ongoing leadership and support from the Chief Constables of the Victoria and Esquimalt, Saanich, Central Saanich and Oak Bay police services. Without the officers from these agencies stepping up perform dozens of different roles at Police Camp, it couldn’t take place.
We are also grateful to the leadership, members and volunteers from the Westshore RCMP, the RCMP Marine Unit, the CBSA and the Military Police who were integral to Police Camp and who facilitated a very memorable day for camp participants out on the water. We’d also like to thank the Canadian Forces and the entire team at the Albert Head facility.
Our gratitude extends to the GVPF’s donors, without whom we couldn’t run Police Camp or any of the GVPF’s other programs, including the GVPF Mentorship program. A special thank you goes to the KPMG Foundation, who came on board with a two-year commitment to support Police Camp earlier this month.
Finally, we extend our sincere congratulations to those students who participated this year and who, like those that came before them, are now Police Camp ambassadors. We witnessed your fortitude, passion, personal development and resilience grow over the course of the week and we couldn’t be more proud to support you and your individual goals.
Planning is already underway for Police Camp 2025 and applications will be accepted this fall. More details will be posted on our website at gvpf.org so stay tuned!