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The Bennington New Experiences Camp
    Featured in the Bennington Banner on June 21, 2007




 

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The Bennington New Experiences Camp is seeking participants for its week-long program.
The camp, which starts on Sunday, July 9, is housed in the Bennington Armory.

The overnight camp is co-sponsored by the Bennington County Sheriff's Department as well as the Vermont National Guard.

"It's in conjunction with the Drug Demand Reduction Program, the Bennington Police Department and the Southshire Substance Abuse Coalition," said Bennington County Sheriff Department Lt. Chad Schmidt, who is helping to organize the camp. "We teach CPR, there's a night of camping up at Lake Shaftsbury."

Other activities are being discussed as well.

"We've talked about going up to the police academy for the day," Schmidt added, saying that the campers might be able to participate in a ropes course at the academy.

Schmidt said, though the camp has an anti-drug message, it's not all work and no play.

"We hope to point them towards a life that doesn't involve drugs," Schmidt said. "We really try to make it fun."

Schmidt said the campers are well looked after.

"We have deputies there, as well as Bennington Police Department

personnel and people from the National Guard," Schmidt said. "We also have a full-time cook — it's very well-supervised."

"It's not a boot camp, but there is a regimented schedule," Schmidt said. "Kids wake up at around 5:30 a.m., and then there's a physical fitness program and so on. There's not a lot of downtime."

Schmidt said, despite slow sign-ups this year, the program is usually popular.

"This is about our fifth year of operation," Schmidt said. "Most years, we end up having to turn people away."

However, Schmidt said the camp won't be able to go forward unless more kids sign up.

"I really don't want to cancel the camp," Schmidt said. "I'd hate to do it."

The camp, said Schmidt, is very well-received by the children who have gone through it.

"The military doesn't use the camp as a recruiting tool, but we had a couple of campers who signed up for the National Guard when they turned 18. There are also kids who look to law enforcement careers as well."

Schmidt has been involved with the camp since it's inception.

The week-long camp costs $75, which includes food for the children, and will be accepting applications until July 3. Those interested are encouraged to contact the Bennington County Sheriff's Department at 442-4900.

more information about the camp.