Sunny Day Camp makes Greene debut
Special needs children and adults got a day-long look at the experiences of law enforcement and other first responders at the first Sunny Day Camp in Greene County Thursday.
About 30 people attended the day-long camp, put on by the Pennsylvania State Police.
The program is celebrating its 10th anniversary statewide. It’s based on Camp Cadet, a week-long summer youth program that gives children a look inside law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
“Special needs is usually kind of a forgotten community, so we want to make sure they get the experience of Camp Cadet, what we do,” said Trooper Melinda Bondarenka of Troop B’s Office of Community Engagement.
Officers and other first responders gave interactive presentations throughout the day and presented displays to give people a personal experience.
With canine and mounted units, the group got to see the animals and hear a presentation about what the animals do while they’re working. At the Game Commission’s booth, they also got to feel the pelts of different animals the organization encounters throughout their day. Outside, there were also large yard games like skee-ball and Connect Four.
Rachel Williamson of Waynesburg came as part of the day program through 2nd Sam 9, a Waynesburg non-profit that aids people with developmental disabilities.
“I’ve always wanted to go to camp, but when I was little, I was other places, and this is my first one I ever went to,” she said.
She liked the particular noise of the helicopters as they flew and landed, and the blinking lights of the sirens on a police car, She also enjoyed getting to meet the police horses, which reminded her of her days taking riding lessons.
When Bondarenka floated the idea of the program to Greene County Emergency Management Agency Director Rich Policz, he had already been thinking about ways to serve the county’s special needs community, who are too often left out, he said. It’s an issue he feels connected to, as many of his friends have children with autism or Down syndrome.
“These special needs kids and adults had a blast,” he said. “The law enforcement, the first responders in here had a good day that was relaxing, away from their normal jobs. I think it was just a good time for everybody.”
Policz is looking to make it an annual event. While the quick turnaround necessitated placing this year’s in July, he’s hoping next year’s can be scheduled for sometime in September after school starts.
“It was a little bit smaller this year, but we figure it’ll grow,” he said.