New York State Sheriffs’ Camp Iroquois takes place at Keuka Lake

PEN YAN, N.Y. ( WETM ) – The New York State Sheriffs’ Camp Iroquois is a camp for disadvantaged kids helps them to trust the police and gives them a lifetime of memories. The kids get to participate in lots of water activities and get to bond with other children they otherwise would’ve never met.

Some of the water activities consist of kayaking, canoeing, sailing, swimming, archery, hiking, and arts and crafts.

The kids aren’t aware they’re with law enforcement until the end of the camp.

“A lot of the children don’t know that they’re working alongside deputies until Saturday morning when they put their uniform on for the first time at the award ceremony. And they’re like, ‘Wow, you’re a cop. You were my archery instructor. You were my kayaking partner’ and stuff like that. So it’s always great to see that moment of reveal and the expression on the children’s faces,” says Tim Doughty, the camp director.

There are camp counselors helping the officers too. Most of them are people that used to attend the camp when they were kids. This camp is mainly for kids ages 9 to 12. This camp has been going on since 1977.

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