Pennsylvania's youth, with an eye on the badge or the fatigues, just got their summer plans sorted. The Pennsylvania State Police, in cahoots with the Pennsylvania National Guard and Pennsylvania American Legion, are gearing up for their annual show of discipline and camaraderie—the Elmer Hafer-American Legion-State Police-National Guard Youth Camp. The camp, designed for teens with a penchant for law enforcement or military service, is opening its doors for applications, welcoming those aged 15 to 17 to Messiah University in Mechanicsburg come this June 9-15, 2024.
For nearly half a century this camp has been a crossroads where the young at heart looking to serve their country meet the seasoned hands wearing the uniform. Colonel Christopher Paris, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, touted the event as a springboard for building confidence and leadership skills. "This camp and others like it, including our Camp Cadet programs, offer young people a chance to build confidence and enhance leadership skills," Paris said in a statement swiped by pa.gov. It seems memories that make the heart grow fonder for a lifetime and a sneak peek into a possible future in uniform are what's up for grabs here.
It's not just about the shiny shoes and sharp salutes. Attendees dive into a week of team-building exercises, boot-camp-esque physical training, classroom sessions drilling into law enforcement and military careers, and getting steady hands on the marksmanship course. They'll also tour the State Police Academy in Hershey and the hefty Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center in Lebanon County. On the tail end, three lucky cadets will even snag $1,000 scholarships to stash for the future.
Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, Pennsylvania's adjutant general, tipped his hat to the importance of such programs for families and their uniform-aspiring offspring. "Considering a career of service to our commonwealth or nation is a big choice for teens and their families," Schindler said, in words echoed by pa.gov.
