Camp Cadet returns; young people learn life lessons while getting fit
FRANKLIN TWP — Cadet Jessica Young’s forehead was beginning to glisten in the bright sun Friday morning as she practiced graduation exercises at the 51st annual Camp Cadet, but her enthusiasm for the program had not evaporated.
“(Camp Cadet is) pushing me to be better in sports,” said Jessica, 14, who is a Concord Township resident and Moniteau High School freshman. “I do cross country, basketball and track at school.”
Trooper Josh Black of State Police, Troop D in Butler, said Camp Cadet is open to all youth, ages 12 to 15, in Troop D’s territory of Butler, Beaver, Lawrence and Mercer counties.
The weeklong camp, held at Lutherlyn since 2011, establishes a positive relationship between young people and law enforcement in a structure similar to training at the State Police Academy in Hershey.
Black said the program, which began in 1970, was put on hold in 2020 and 2021 by state police officials due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He said the cadets did not stay at the cabins at Lutherlyn as they normally do because of the virus and a lack of fundraising opportunities also caused by the pandemic.
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