Twenty-four Comox Valley students are spending this week getting up early, working as a team and understanding the intricacies of police work as they are taking part in the bi-annual Mountie Camp.
“The kids are challenged, they are tired but they are coming together as a troop,” explained Const. Monika Terragni, spokeswoman for the Comox Valley RCMP.
The local detachment and School District 71 have partnered to prepare for the camp, which is set to run until May 3 at HMCS Quadra.
Mountie Camp became a reality in the 1990s and has been held every second year since. It is a simulated ‘Depot’ experience that is offered to high school students in Grades 10 to 12 from the school district catchment area.
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Students are lodged in a dormitory-type setting and stay at the camp for the entire week.
In addition to teamwork, students are forging friendships, some which could last forever, Terragni noted.
“A lot of students are thinking of policing or emergency services as a career path. We talk a lot about how to handle stress, and they are busy all day long. We try to fit in as much as we can throughout the week.”
She said the students – who apply through their high school career offices – are exposed to a variety of different parts of policing, along with drills along for training, both physically and mentally.
“This is a very important part of any career in emergency services,” she added.
This is the 13th camp offered to students. It is funded by the assistance of service organizations, businesses and individuals within the Comox Valley. In addition, 19 Wing Comox provides the training facility and accommodations for students and volunteers at the camp.
While they don’t keep track of how many past graduates of the program have entered a career in emergency services, Terragni said during interviews, many students have identified a family member or friend who is either in policing or have previously gone through the camp.
The project costs approximately $15,000 and students typically pay a registration fee of $150 to help offset the cost of food and supplies.
erin.haluschak@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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