The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches has been improving the lives of at-risk children
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1546265
Alachua County Deputy Peter King (left) and Lennox work next to each other in Arts and Crafts to create model airplanes. Seeing a Deputy in an environment like summer camp helps our campers understand that Deputies are people, just like them! It also drives home what the job of a School Resource Deputy means: protecting and supporting these vulnerable members of the community. "Good job, team!" Charlotte County Deputy Michael said. "Great work!" Next door, the younger boys' cabin was busy in Arts and Crafts. They created model airplanes and raced them. Right next to the kids were their deputies, picking just the right color markers to use on their own airplanes. Alachua County Deputy Peter King has been coming to summer camp since the early 2000s. "This camp is awesome because it gives kids the privilege and opportunity to come to a camp for free, meet students from around the state, and do activities and things they've never done before," Deputy King said. "We have law enforcement here from different parts of the county and the state, and that gives [campers] the opportunity to see law enforcement as regular humans, and on the final night they see us in our uniform, which is awesome." CAMP SORENSEN - HILLIARD, FLORIDA As the sun shone down on Camp Sorensen, a cabin of older boys left their fishing poles at the dock and headed to Arts and Crafts. "I like this camp a lot," Justin said. "It's my third year coming. I like being in nature, and I got my friends into it. I learned I can be a Leader in Training next year!" Derrick, who set up a game of chess in one corner of the Arts and Crafts building and carefully explained the rules to camper Kaysen, remarked that he liked fishing off the dock. "It's calming and relaxing," he said. Preston also learned a lot during his week of camp. The deputies from his county were quick to jump into activities with the kids, including games of pool, foosball, and air hockey. "I learned the Sheriff's Deputies are cool!" Preston said. "They're really chill, and we're able to talk to them really easily." Our deputies are the heart of our mission at summer camp. We want to build better, safer communities, and we believe it starts here. Giving campers a voice, a positive role model, and an opportunity to succeed makes summer camp a life- changing experience. Thank you for partnering with us and deputies from your county to make summer camp a success! "I love to see kids playing chess!" Alachua County Deputy Branden said during his week at camp. Derrick (right) is deep in thought as he considers his strategy against his fellow camper, Kayson (not pictured). Camper Boaz (left) watches closely with Deputy Branden. T H E R A N C H E R FA L L 2 0 2 6 7