The Charles County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Unit hosted the 29th Annual Just Say No Camp from July 31 – August 3 at the College of Southern Maryland La Plata campus.

Twenty-eight children between the ages of 10 and 13 years old attended the camp. The students were selected by their teachers for demonstrating good behavior and consistent attendance at their school-sponsored Just Say No Club meetings.

“The Just Say No program is a vital component to the work we do with the youth in Charles County,” said Sheriff Troy Berry. “It is our hope that by teaching kids the dangers of drugs and alcohol and how to stand up to peer pressure, we are helping them stay away from these harmful substances which lead to crime and destroy lives.”

At the free Just Say No Camp, School Resource Officers discussed numerous topics with the students including drug abuse, tobacco and alcohol prevention, and internet safety, and they also introduced students to many aspects of police work. The kids had the opportunity to hear presentations from CCSO Narcotics Detectives, the Emergency Services Team, the K-9 Unit, Teen Court, Charles County Health Department, and the State’s Attorney’s Office “Think About It” program. The students received lunch and had the opportunity to swim in CSM’s pool each day. They celebrated the conclusion of the camp with a trip to the Chesapeake Beach Water Park.

“We love working with the youth at Just Say No Camp,” said Pfc. Sheilagh Cook, a School Resource Officer. “These children demonstrate great character and are outstanding influences on their peers. We are proud of them for taking a stand against drugs and alcohol.”

The Just Say No Camp is funded through donations from individuals and businesses. Anyone interested in donating may make checks payable to “Charles County Just Say No Club” and mail them to: Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Pfc. Cook, P.O. Box 189, La Plata MD 20646.

The CCSO would like to thank the following businesses, organizations, and individuals who made the 2017 Just Say No Camp a success: Greater Waldorf Jaycees, Robert and Sandra Fulton, Redeeming Life Ministries, SMECO, Mudd, Mudd, & Fitzgerald, Jimmy Richards Excavating, and Gayons Body Shop and Towing. The CCSO also extends special appreciation to the College of Southern Maryland for allowing the camp to be held on its campus.

Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of a person responsible for a crime in Charles County. Anyone with information about an unsolved crime or the location of a fugitive may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS, texting CHARLES + the tip to CRIMES (274637) or submitting tips online at tipsubmit.com. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Learn more at the CCSO’s website.

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency comprised of more than 600 police, corrections and civilian personnel responsible for protecting more than 150,000 residents. The CCSO was accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2001 has been designated as a CALEA Gold Standard of Excellence agency since 2011. Established in 1658, the CCSO is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States. For more information, visit www.ccso.us.      

 

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