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Summer program helps children connect with Collier deputies
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With summer vacation fast approaching, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office is once again signing up elementary-aged children for its annual summer program.
The program, dubbed the Deputy Education Program Understanding Today’s Youth, or DEPUTY Club, offers children in kindergarten through fifth grade the opportunity to have fun while learning about their community.
The DEPUTY Club, which is free, kicks off June 11, and runs every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for nine weeks. The program takes place at the Naples Park Association clubhouse, 654 104th Ave. N.
“We’ll allow the youth of Collier County to interact with law enforcement in a positive manner, to develop roles with law enforcement so they can understand what we can do to help them out and what they can do to help their community,” sheriff’s Cpl. Trish Williams said.
This is the second year of the DEPUTY Club, which is a revival of another youth program called the Cool Kid’s Club.
Last summer, more than 120 children participated in the program, Williams said. Some of those children are coming back this summer to participate as peer mentors.
This year’s program has been shortened from 11 weeks to nine, but organizers extended each day by one hour. Last year the program ended at noon.
“With the way the school schedule fell this year, with summer vacation, we wanted to allow parents more time at the beginning of the summer and at the end of the summer when the kids weren’t participating in a program, where they could spend more time with the kids themselves,” Williams said.
Organizers are planning on doing a little less travel this summer to cut back on travel costs. While children will get plenty of lessons at the clubhouse, they’ll also go on field trips to the Naples Zoo, Wiggins Pass State Park, Beacon Bowl and the Sun-N-Fun Lagoon.
Lunch and possibly breakfast will be provided, Williams said.
“We’re looking at a very decent number of children that are going to be participating this year again,” Williams said. “We’re looking for a good summer and we’re going to have a lot of fun with the kids again, I’m sure.”
The DEPUTY Club is sponsored by local businesses. Organizers are looking for additional sponsors to help provide food.
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For more information, contact Williams at (239) 530-9732.
Permission slips are available at www.colliersheriff.org. Completed permission slips can be e-mailed to d1cops@colliersheriff.net, faxed to (239) 530-9729, or dropped off with a Youth Relations Deputy by Friday, May 16.
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