Sheriff's Academy for Youth

The Sheriff's Academy for Youth or S.A.Y. is a summer day camp program that Sheriff Turner provides every summer in conjunction with Troup County Parks and Recreation Department. The camp consists of two one-week day camps that our area youth are exposed to the function and duties of the Sheriff's Office along with several other topics that range from stranger danger to water safety. The first week kids ages 9-11 are accepted and the program is tailored to their interests and needs in that age bracket. The second week is for kids ages 12-14 and they are also taught safety and awareness in matters that are more relevant to their age group as well. The S.A.Y. Academy begins each morning with a topic taught by either a Sheriff's Office Staff member or an outside expert and then following the morning sessions the kids are rewarded by an afternoon of swimming, skating or going to an appropriately rated movie. The hours of the day camp are from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with the exception of Friday, which is graduation day.

At the graduation ceremony parents are encouraged to attend, each participant receives a diploma, custom made t-shirt and other items relating to the message of the camp. Parents or guardians can sign their kids up at the Parks and Recreation Department Office on Lafayette Parkway during the announced sign up phase in early spring. The cost to the parent is very reasonable and includes admission to the Water Park, movie and skating rink and a daily sack lunch is provided as well. The goal of this particular camp is to promote knowledge of the duties of law enforcement and to provide vital safety information to the kids of our community. A welcome by-product of the camp is that the youth get to know their local Sheriff's Deputies, fostering a bond of trust with the kids as they get to spend time both learning and playing with their Deputy Sheriff Advisors. For more information please contact either the Troup County Parks and Recreation Department or Lt. Rick Massie at the Troup County Sheriff's Office.