The Syracuse Police Department's Athletic/Activities League (PAL) launched its summer camp this week, with the Syracuse PAL Swim Camp at Nottingham High School.
This is the first of a series of offerings spanning the next four weeks, says Jimmy Oliver, SPD's director of community engagement.
“We've got STEAM [science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics] camp starting next week," he said. "We'll be hosting that up at Syracuse University for 50 kids. The third week, we'll have two [sessions]. We'll have swim camp going on, and then we'll have STEAM camp, the week of July 24 through 28.”
Now in its second year, PAL’s summer camps have expanded to offer more swim sessions, and this year, Oliver says, a special — "crazy and different" — surprise is planned for the fourth and final week.
“Gardening," he said. "Not only will they plant and see and learn about different flowers and vegetables, there's also room to play volleyball, to play kickball. There's just so much space for us to be able to do different things.”
Salt City Harvest Farm in Kirkville will host that session.
The various camp activities are only one benefit for campers, says Oliver, while the overarching goal is to develop a network of support for students.
“Whether it's swimming, whether it's wrestling, whether it's football, it’s baseball, volleyball or whatever, if we do those things, and we do them right … when you come here, you're getting really good instruction. People who care. People who live, eat, sleep, play in the city," he said.
The free camps provide youth ages 6 to 12 recreation and skill-building in partnership with city, county and state law enforcement agencies, all in an effort to improve relationships between the departments and kids in the community.
