SMYRNA – For the last 25 years the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office has dedicated itself to the future of Chenango County by reaching out to youths at their summer camp where kids are taught civic virtue, community participation and mutual respect by engaging in fun outdoor activities with emergency service personnel.

The Sheriff’s camp is free of charge for area kids, ages 9 through 12. It has hosted on average 75 kids a week and has operated for the last two and half decades at Camp Thompson in Smyrna.

Though the first batch of campers will arrive Monday, there is still time to sign up. An application can be found at the Sheriff’s Office or online at www.chenangosheriff.us or contact the office's civil division at 334-2000 for information.

“The Chenango County Sheriff's Office Summer Camp is designed to give all children the opportunity to experience four days of fun and enriching growth away from home. The program is set up to make new friends and to learn to live together. Campers enjoy classes and recreation time for both land and water activities,” explained Chenango County Sheriff Ernest R. Cutting Jr.