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Bigs holds annual Kids ‘n’ Cops day camp

September 28, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dufferin and Orangeville Police Service (OPS) recently held their annual Kids ‘N’ Cops day camp, with local kids getting to learn about policing, other emergency services, and the importance of getting involved in the community.

The three-day camp day took place from Monday to Wednesday of last week (August 21 to 23) and saw 16 local kids touring the police station, the cell area, emergency call centre, along with seeing the cars and equipment OPS uses.

Along with touring the police building, the kids went to the Orangeville Fire station, and took part in the obstacle course the firefighters regularly practice. The kids also visited the Dufferin County Paramedics Services, and took part in a scenario where they would be both the paramedic and person in need, going through how they would assess someone. They also got to tour the courthouse, went swimming in the afternoon, and visited the SCPA to see the dogs and cats.

“I think they liked being in the jail cell,” says Nancy Stallmach, executive director of Big Brother Big Sisters, along with the obstacle course, but really, “they liked all of it.”

Ms. Stallmach says the day camp helps kids learn about the community, and to get involved. “A lot of them know about police officers, but they got a chance to really see them up close. So they were able to go inside the building and to see really what goes on, and to actually meet police officers, so that was a lot of fun.”

She says the day camp gives kids the opportunity to better understand emergency services, and hopes that “if there was a fear in any of those things, it would lessen some of the fear and unknown about them, and have them feel a more of a friendly attitude towards those things.”

The event ended with a barbeque at OPS headquarters on the 23^rd.

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