KAMLOOPS – The RCMP Youth Academy will have extra opportunities for youth this year, thanks to a donation from KGHM Ajax.
This is the fifth year the program has been delivered in Kamloops, which allows approximately 25 Grade 11 and 12 students to spend a week going through bootcamp-style training led by RCMP members. The training closely resembles the experience at the RCMP depot in Regina.
“This is one of the many wonderful opportunities that School District 73 has for students to test out future careers,” says Sheryl Lindquist, district principal, secondary transitions.
The $5,000 donation will allow the school district to offer scholarships to the top cadets, offset costs from 2015 and expand the program in 2016.
The six-day program runs over spring break.
“The program provides information for young people to make decisions about their career path after they graduate,” says RCMP Constable Rupert Meinke, who has been involved in leading the program for the past five years.
While the training is aimed at students interested in a law enforcement career, all students benefit from the program whether they go on to work in law enforcement or not. The experience is unlike anything students have ever done and builds friendships among troop members as they have fun and learn new things, says Meinke.
“It’s common for parents to comment on the discipline their child has developed after going through this program,” Meinke says.
The 2015 RCMP Youth Academy is now full, but the school district encourages students and parents to visit their website if they are interested in learning more for the 2016 program: http://tnt2.sd73.bc.ca/wordpress/rcmp-youth-academy/