Grads Of Middlesex Sheriff's Office Youth Camp Honored In Chelmsford

CHELMSFORD, MA —The Middlesex Sheriff's Office held a graduation ceremony Friday for the approximately 75 graduates of the Youth Public Safety Academy's (YPSA) fourth and final session of 2022.

The event was held at Chelmsford High School and featured campers from around the county, primarily from the communities of Chelmsford, Acton, Everett, Malden, Maynard, Newton and Waltham.

First established in 1999, the week-long YPSA camp — held at Middlesex Training Academy in Chelmsford —is for children ages 8 to 12, in addition to older cadets who are part of the YPSA's Counselor-in-Training Program.

The camp is designed to introduce kids to role models in public safety, including sheriff's officers, local police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.

Attendees at the camp learn about internet safety, fire preparedness and prevention, water-safety skills and more. Campers also participate in teamwork-building exercises at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica.

"Throughout its history, YPSA has provided valuable opportunities for the county's youngest residents to get to know some of the corrections officers, police officers and firefighters who serve their communities on a daily basis," Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian said.

Koutoujian continued: "(The camp) also teaches cadets crucial lessons about teambuilding, friendship and public safety that they take back to their homes, schools and communities. That is why I truly believe this is one of the best, most comprehensive camps around and why we are so excited to be back this summer."