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Chesapeake, Va. (The Virginian-Pilot) — The image of deputies helping kids fish and ride horses at STAR Leadership Camp was a reassuring one for Chesapeake Sheriff Jim O’Sullivan.
The camp took dozens of children to the rural margins of the city and got them on horses, fishing from a pond, and using bows and arrows.
But it’s about more than kids having fun, O’Sullivan said. In an era when law enforcement is viewed with suspicion in some parts of the community, he said it’s a chance to show the kids that officers are the “good guys.”
The camp, held in mid-May, was attended by 72 children, eight junior leaders, and 24 team leaders at Triple R Ranch in southern Chesapeake. The event is in its eighth year and designed to challenge participants to help develop their leadership traits.
O’Sullivan came up with the idea of the camp more than a decade ago when he was the undersheriff of Chesapeake.
“I grew up in a single parent family. My mom had to work two jobs,” he said. “There were always things I’d get involved with as far as athletics, camps and things like that. It really helped me.”
Although the three-day camp is the culmination of the program, O’Sullivan said deputies work with the children all year long.
“We bring them to hockey games, we bring them to baseball games, we do volunteer hours for seniors,” he said.
The Sheriff’s Office works with Chesapeake schools to enlist children ages 9 to 14 for the program. O’Sullivan hopes it can help counter the negative image law enforcement has been receiving at the national level in recent years.
“These are our friends and good people just like us,” O’Sullivan told the children about his staff.
The camp is free for all children. The students are split into teams at the camp. Those who have been through the camp are often brought back as junior mentors.
Jaxson Mills, a 12-year-old from Great Bridge Middle School, said he enjoyed the experience.
“It’s very exciting. In the morning we went on the horses. I thought that was fun,” he said.
Jaxson, who was attending his second camp, said it made him more active. “I’m going out and meeting new people,” he said.
“I like how we have been bonding and getting to know each other,” said Myeisha James, 13, from Deep Creek Middle School.
Bryce Clemons, 14, from Indian River Road Middle School, has also been through the camp in previous years. He enjoys fishing and basketball the most.
“It kind of breaks me out of my comfort zone because I do different things,” he said.
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