Contact: Beth Stone
508-584-8120
WHITMAN – More than 500 kids from 21 towns in Plymouth County are expected to attend the 25th annual Plymouth County Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education Summer Program to be held next week at Whitman-Hanson High School.
Sponsored by DA Cruz, Plymouth County Sheriff Joe McDonald, the Plymouth County Police Chiefs, and the Plymouth County Drug Education/School Resource Officers, this year’s camp will host more than 500 kids – both campers and counselors from 21 South Shore towns. The program promises smiles all around as campers participate in outdoor activities, enjoy Chinese food and meals from favorites Domino’s and McDonald’s and are treated to snow cones and slushies. But the program is not all fun in the sun. School resource officers and teenaged peer leaders will also use the opportunity to work with the 5th and 6th grade campers on responsibility, decision-making, discipline, and most importantly, how to say no to drugs and alcohol.
“Kids today face unimaginable social pressures,” DA Cruz said. “We need to continuously work to help them build resiliency and urge them to resist alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs and violence so they can confidently make the right decision and go forward to succeed.”
Along with daily activities that include a Summer Olympics obstacle course, representatives from the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department will fingerprint campers and there will also be a K-9 dog demonstration.
On Tuesday, an Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter will touch down at camp and AMP Radio 103.3 and Mix 104 will visit. Special guests scheduled to perform during the week include Ooch, a yo-yo expert, and Johnny the K.
On Thursday, campers will get wet and wild when the Hanson Fire Department foams the field and sets up a water slide and dunk tank.
Towns participating this year are Abington, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Hull, Lakeville, Marshfield, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Scituate, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.
DA Cruz will attend camp on Monday, July 22nd from 9-10:30 a.m. to greet campers and be on-hand for opening ceremonies.