Pr. George's Sheriff's Office Launches Deputies Assisting Youth Program

Middle school youths will have a chance to spend time learning from the county's deputies and other officials this summer. 

The Community Partnership Section of the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff launched its Deputies Assisting Youth (D.A.Y.) Corps summer camp program on July 3.

The first of two sessions was scheduled to begin on July 2 but was delayed due to the storm, according to the sheriff’s office, and it will run through July 13 as scheduled.

The purpose of the D.A.Y. Corps program, which is available to youths from eight of the area’s middle schools, is to allow young people to interact with deputies and encourage them to be good citizens, officials say. 

“The camps are a great opportunity to continue to work with young people during the pivotal middle school years,” said Sgt. Yakeisha Hines, the program’s director and supervisor. “In a world that is more complicated than ever, our goal is to facilitate good social and problem-solving skills, and to make our camps an exciting experience for campers.”

The first session was held at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Temple Hills, and according to the sheriff’s office, a typical day begins by learning how to properly raise and lower the American and Maryland flags, followed by a fitness routine.

The day culminates in classroom sessions with deputies, guests and members of the Sheriff’s Explorer Post 1696. The sessions covered topics like bullying, etiquette and positive self-image.

Activities and guests during the first session included an anti-bullying stage play by Chuck Smalley, of The eMPAS Group, a visit from the local barber Lavon Lucas, of the Largo One Barbershop, to teach hair and skincare grooming and a trip and tour of television station WUSA9 hosted by J.C. Hayward.

The second session will be held at Thomas Johnson Middle School from July 23 to Aug. 3.

For more information contact the Prince George’s County Office of the Sheriff’s Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-8637.