INDIANA TROOPERS YOUTH SERVICES

Designed to sharpen the life skills of those who attend, the Shield Project is an opportunity you do not want to miss.  This project will be challenging, but the reward awaiting at the end of that challenge is abundant. This project consists of teaching blocks along with hands-on learning opportunities with ISP personnel that will allow the participant to gain an understanding of what it takes to become a police officer. The goal is to give participants the ability to be more successful, whether they decide to enter the law enforcement career or not. This is a 5 day, co-ed course developed through a collaboration between the Indiana State Police, ITYS, and multiple other law enforcement related fields. It will be a structured learning environment geared towards public safety, but with an emphasis on self-improvement, this experience will be like none other with the opportunity to have a first-hand look into law enforcement through a hands-on training approach, where you can assess your future career options in policing and its related fields. 

The Shield Project only costs $250, which includes food and room, with all of the equipment and safety gear provided! There are limited scholarships available – interested parties should write a 500-word essay explaining their background, why this camp is the right opportunity for them, and how the camp will benefit from their presence. The essay must be submitted within two weeks of submitting your application. Once the ITYS board makes a determination about your essay, you’ll be contacted. If you are planning to write an essay for payment, please type “possible scholarship” in the Check # Mailed / Sponsored By line. Spaces are limited and there is no age limit.

Similar to the Indiana State Police Academy, career camps give high school age students an in-depth and hands on law enforcement experience. This means that any child going into high school or that has graduated but not yet attended college is eligible to attend camps. These camps are co-ed camps that are directed by Troopers throughout the entire week. Our staff is compiled of male and female law enforcement personnel, utilizing many of the same experts that train our very own Troopers, as well as professionals from other walks of life that relate to a law enforcement field. Attending the camps, each camper will find out what it takes to be a police offer, experience some of the same things that officers do during their career and get to see the other careers and specialties within the law enforcement field. Campers will participate in physical training, familiarization of police equipment, conduct their own crime scene investigations, hear from defense attorneys, judges, and other experts in the criminal justice field, and watch exciting police demonstrations! All career camps are held at Universities to give participants an idea of college life while at the camp. All career camps start on Sunday and end that Friday. There is a graduation ceremony at the close of the camp that Friday afternoon that parents/family are invited to attend!

The ISP and ITYS are partnering with the American Legion for this camp! The American Legion believes that our youth have a strong sense of patriotism and a high regard for Law and Order. The objective of IYCLEA Camp is to provide a first-hand look at the role of a police officer in today’s society. Campers will participate in physical training, familiarization of police equipment, conduct their own crime scene investigations, hear from defense attorneys, judges, and other experts in the criminal justice field, and watch exciting police demonstrations! This is similar to the Career Camp above (a week long, co-ed and any child going into high school or that has graduated but not yet attended college), but is a week long structured mini academy style camp, modeling the Indiana State Police Academy. The American Legion also offers awards to some campers and an invitation to their fall ceremony to receive the award and recognition in-front of their members for these achievements!

Law camps give students entering the 6th, 7th and 8th grades a behind the scenes look at the criminal justice system.  The 4 – 5 day co-ed camps that are held at University campuses or campgrounds, offer a more advanced look at law enforcement through field trips, exciting demonstrations and motivating programs. Campers stay on campus for the week with the Troopers that are running the camp. There are physical activities that take place during the week along with hands on programs. Campers meet peers from around the state, participate in recreational activities and leave with a greater understanding of the police field.  Law Camps are co-sponsored by Lions Clubs of Indiana and the Optimist Club.

Unlike the Career and Law camps, the Pioneer camps are designed specifically for children between ages 11-14 who need a structured program with close supervision. Group homes, welfare departments, law enforcement agencies, probation departments and school counselors may recommend children for the Pioneer Camp. These camps are held outdoors for a week. This is a co-ed camp in which the kids learn to work together to prepare their own meals, campsites and explore the outdoors. Campers receive more one on one time with law enforcement officers who can help them start to develop a more positive outlook on their future. These camps can be applied for online but must have a recommendation to accompany the application.