Sheriffs Camp date scheduled

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POCATELLO - Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen announced his annual camp for at risk youth that was reinstated a few weeks ago after being canceled for budgetary reasons will be Aug. 6-9.

This year marks the 10th Sheriff's Camp, which gives problem children, ages 10-13, a chance to turn things around. It was originally scheduled for June, but expenses from the Cassie Jo Stoddart murder investigation and the ensuing trial drained his budget.

However, donations from community members concerned about the cancellation resurrected the camp.

''We're excited about the support of the community,'' Nielsen said. ''We in law enforcement feel passionate about these programs. We see the problems at-risk children can cause.''

Nielsen said a couple of anonymous businessmen gave thousands of dollars, and other citizens have chipped in smaller amounts.

Since it began, Sheriff's Camp has benefited hundreds of local youths. The idea is to promote teamwork and self-confidence for area youths, many of whom have already been in trouble with the law. Every year, 50 to 60 children attend the camp, which is supervised by Bannock County deputies. The officers encourage the youths to work together to complete assigned tasks and projects.

While the children are learning to work together, their parents attend parenting classes at the sheriff's office.

The deputies continue to meet with the children once a month for a year to ensure they are not falling back into their old habits that landed them at the camp.

Nielsen described the community effort that saved his camp as ''humbling and overwhelming.''

''I'm very grateful,'' he said. ''I love this town.''

By Casey Santee

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