On July 1, 2017, Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) and Illinois State Police (ISP) officials graduated 43 teens from the Rockford and Chicago areas from the TeamIllinois Youth Police Camp held at Olivet Nazarene University.
TeamIllinois Cadets received classroom education on suicide prevention, CPR, First Aid, personal hygiene, bullying, cyber bullying, the dangers of social media, and flag etiquette.
During “Safety Days,” the Cadets had the opportunity to meet the flight crew of the Air Methods Medical Helicopter Transport, Officers of the Bourbonnais Police Department, Illinois State Police Motorcycle Unit members, and an ISP K-9 and his handler.
ISP Safety Education Officers (SEOs) taught Cadets the importance of not texting and driving or driving impaired, and the importance of wearing your seatbelt. The SEOs used DUI goggles, golf carts, and the roll over simulator to drive their point home.
The Northern Illinois Anglers Association treated the Cadets to an afternoon of fishing. The Cadets were taught the importance of respect, self-discipline, and how to push themselves, both mentally and physically, to be the best they could be.
“During the week TeamIllinois Camp was on Olivet’s campus, I personally witnessed changes in the teens who attended camp,” said Jana Hacker, Olivet’s director of conference services. “They began the week skeptically. But by the end of the week, they were disciplined and had appropriate pride in themselves. It is Olivet’s pleasure to support TeamIllinois Camp in the work they are doing to help make a better future for teenagers in our area.”
A formal graduation ceremony was held on July 1, 2017, where 43 proud Cadets walked across the stage and received their diplomas.
The camp counselor team consisted of members of the ISP, RPD, Chicago Police Department, and the Indiana State Police. The one-week para-military run youth camp provided the teens team building training with the Illinois National Guard, physical training with the ISP PT coordinator, and Drill with the ISP Teaching Assessing and Correcting Officer.
Reprinted with permission.
