This summer, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office in Idaho is making strides to inspire the next generation of law enforcement professionals through its Teen Law Enforcement Career Camp.

Now in its second year, the four-day camp has expanded to two sessions in June due to its overwhelming success and high demand. With a total of 21 participants in the first week and 17 in the second, the camp offers high school students a unique opportunity to gain firsthand experience in topics like diving, shooting and effective communication within a law enforcement context.

Deputy Nate Downey, a school resource officer with the sheriff’s office, was enthusiastic about the camp’s potential to generate excitement for the law enforcement industry and inspire the next generation of recruits.

“We can use it to build excitement for the industry and the career path and to help recruitment for the future for the sheriff’s office,” the deputy told EastIdahoNews.com.

Downey said it was important to allow teenagers interested in the law enforcement profession to experience a taste of what it entails through a variety of engaging activities.

One of the highlights of the camp was a visit to Idaho Dive Pirates in Idaho Falls, where the participants were divided into groups and instructed in scuba diving techniques in a pool.

Downey explained that the county’s dive team, responsible for exploring rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, inspired this immersive experience. He further shared his delight in witnessing the campers step out of their comfort zones and realize their capabilities. Many participants embraced the opportunity to conquer personal fears and push themselves beyond their limits.

“Some of them will enjoy it, and some of them are struggling through the activities and the different aspects of the sheriff’s office, but we get to see them try new things and realize, ‘Hey, I can do this stuff, I can make this happen, I can conquer some of my own personal fears and get through it,’” he said. “We see that today, especially here in the pool with the kids scuba diving. They are doing great.”

The camp also places a strong emphasis on team-building exercises, as effective teamwork and communication are integral to success within law enforcement.

Downey expressed the importance of teaching communication skills, as many students struggle with face-to-face interactions outside of text-based communication. By fostering these vital skills, the camp aims to equip participants with the tools necessary for effective collaboration.

“We want to teach them communication skills. Being in the school as an SRO, I see the students. A lot of the times, they struggle to communicate unless they are texting, and to have a one-on-one conversation with someone, a face-to-face conversation with someone, it gets a little more difficult, and so we teach them about communication skills,” Downey explained.

Over the course of the camp, the teenagers will also learn about gun safety, firearm usage at a designated gun range, the roles of SWAT teams and emergency response units, and the functions of the K-9 team.

In an exciting addition this year, the camp will engage in a community service project in partnership with the BCSO Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8 and the local Ammon Walmart, where the participants will have the opportunity to purchase and donate school supplies to benefit local schools, further instilling a sense of civic responsibility and community engagement.

Thirteen-year-old Kenna, one of Downey’s daughters and a participant in the camp, shared her experience thus far.

“We learned how to protect ourselves in a shooting and assess the situation. Communication is the most important thing,” she said. “We do a bunch of fun things and they teach us how to be a part of a SWAT team and underwater searches. It’s really fun.”

Despite initial apprehension, she found scuba diving to be exhilarating. Inspired by her father’s work, Kenna expressed interest in pursuing a career in law enforcement, though she remains open to exploring other options.

Downey encouraged other teenagers to take advantage of this unique opportunity. The camp is open to students who have completed eighth grade and who are 18 years old or under.

The sheriff’s office further it looks forward to welcoming future participants and hopes to continue providing valuable insights into the world of law enforcement.