http://youtu.be/bU9XhothZbE
Kids in Las Cruces are learning what it takes to be a first responder through a new camp held by the Las Cruces Police Department and New Mexico State University.
Officer Julian Gomez is a school resources officer who is running the first Youth Leadership Academy; he says they have been trying to put something like this together for years.
“We’ve been trying to do this for a while,” Gomez said. “Thanks to the help of New Mexico State and some of the other things we’ve had going on, we’ve been able to get something going this year. Basically what we’re doing is we’re trying to get the kids together, teach them teamwork in this camp, some type of leadership, and let them do some fun things, establish that rapport with the community and the kids that we have.”
So far the kids have learned about things like Crime Scene investigating from New Mexico State Police, and gotten interactive demonstrations from the Las Cruces Fire Department. Gomez says they try to teach team building and leadership through these creative presentations.
“We’ve had archery,” Gomez said. “Our DWI unit came out, and they drove our Polaris’s with beer goggles on. You know with and without. We’ve also had a tour at NMSU; let them know about the college there and how to get in. Something to get them interested in the future. We’ve done a lot of team building exercises. You know things that make them work as a team to get things done and things accomplished.”
Angel Salcido is a volunteer supervisor at the camp; she says her favorite activity was the DWI exercise and seeing what it was like to drive with glasses that made it twice the legal limit.
“It was just really cool to see what the difference is,” Salcido said. “And how much of a difference it is, and how dangerous it can be. So, not only is it fun to interact with other children, but your actually learning.”
She says he has learned just as much as the kids attending the camp.
“It’s definitely amazing,” Salcido said. “I think these children and the officers as well have made as big a impact as I have on them. It’s definitely fun; I learn something new every day. The speakers that they have come, and the different activities that they have set for us have definitely made a difference on how I perceive the world.”
Officer Gomez says the camp also gives the kids an opportunity to get to know the officers who are going to be in their schools.
“They need to know who we are,” Gomez said. “We’re not just another person with a badge. We want them to know that we are people to, and that they can come talk to us. Feel free to talk to us. We’re all SRO’s, School Resource Officers, at the schools. So, we’re going to see these kids either in the future, or the ones that are in middle school are seeing the officer’s that are there already. So, to know that they have someone to go to, talk to, not just about police work but whatever they need. Questions asked, we’re there to help them out as well.”
Gomez says they hope they can turn the Youth Leadership Academy into an annual summer event.
