At Kids Camp,
high school mentors spend a week focused on one primary goal: build as many positive relationships (with each other and campers) as possible, while role modeling positive behavior. We believe that everyone has something great to offer, and there are an infinite number of learning opportunities within relationships. We use these mentor based relationships to learn about individual campers and what they struggle with, whether it’s peer pressure, dysfunctional family life, bullying, body image, or something completely different. A key component to working with the campers is feedback. High school students are trained to listen first, and then offer advice, only when asked to do so. This creates a bond between campers and their counselors that sometimes lasts for many years. Many of our counseling staff first came to Kids Camp as campers when they were in middle school.
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Cairo & Parce
couple of years about having a K-9 on patrol. Having a drug dog on staff requires a full-time handler, and we didn’t have an officer to spare, so we hadn’t really pursued the possibility. Last year in the budget process, several city council members expressed interest in having a drug dog on board, and they discussed it and encouraged Mr. Russell and me to bring it forward in our draft budget. We did, and they supported adding an additional officer so we could pursue acquiring a dog.”
Cairo received his initial obedience training in Kalispell, by Belgian Malinois breeder and owner of K-9 Command Services, Dale Brandeberry. Once Nasset contacted Brandeberry to let him know the city wanted to purchase a pup for a police dog, he worked more specifically with Cairo to groom him into a perfect drug dog. Brandeberry formerly worked for the U.S. Forest Service as national police canine coordinator, lead evaluator and master trainer. Since retiring from the USFS, he continues to run his own Kalispell-based police dog breeding and training program. Many of this breed are trained to attack and be “bite” dogs, but that isn’t what KPD was after, so Cairo is a very friendly, non-aggressive dog. He will accompany Officer Parce in all aspects of his job, so it was crucial that he have a friendly and easy going personality. He is very intuitive, alert and loyal to his handler.
Cairo and Officer Parce will have a high profile presence in the community. Parce does not shy away from being in the public, and service his community. He was named Montana Police Officer of the year in 2012, and has always considered public service outside of his normal police duties, as part of who he is. As a board member for Flathead CARE, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids remain drug, alcohol and tobacco free, Parce spends a lot of time with local youth. He has been in law enforcement for 11 years, 5 of them as a school resource officer at Glacier High School. He also continues to help chaperone Flathead CARE’s middle school dances, and be the officer on duty at Kids Camp. This year, Cairo will also be at Kids Camp, and if his initial interactions with kids are any indication, his presence at camp will be a huge hit!
Kids Camp was founded on one simple belief: Kids are assets, not liabilities. Camp is an environment that fosters growth, promotes self-discovery, and allows for new relationships to form. By providing life and resiliency skills, our goal is to increase pro-social growth and protective assets in participants. By doing so, we are effectively reducing underage drinking and drug use through our programs, as well as other risk factors, like risky sexual activity, self-harm, and other adolescent issues. As youth are empowered to jump these hurdles, they begin to believe they are capable of overcoming obstacles, and begin to find more opportunities. In our 28th year of Kids Camp, our primary goals remain the same: to empower young people to advocate for their peers, lead cultural shifts against bullying, provide meaningful support to their friends who are struggling, and find healthy alternatives to drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Education is a vital part of all Flathead CARE’s programs, and Kids Camp takes a unique approach. In the six weeks leading up to camp, the counselors become experts on a topic that they are passionate about, and want to teach others. Each year we teach campers about leadership, values, healthy relationships, risky behaviors, depression and suicide, as well as gender specific programming through interactive workshops. Although the counselors work with adult mentors, these presentations are completely led and facilitated by counselors.
At camp, we give youth real world experience in connecting with their peers. Every gathering emphasizes building positive relationships, expanding life and resiliency skills, and connecting to the community. Deeper than that, we give youth the confidence and skills they need to support their peers in a meaningful way. Youth in our program transform from the quiet student in the back of the classroom to a consistent voice of support for their peers. If this camp looks like a good choice for your child, you can find registration forms and other information on our website by clicking on the “Kids Camp” link, at www. flatheadcare.org. Camp dates are June 13-16, 2017, at Big Sky Bible Camp, near Echo Lake. Camp cost is $200, a bargain for a 4 day camp. Early registration deadline is June 2nd, and goes up to $225 if received after June 2. Please feel free to contact us with questions about camp or our youth programs. We look forward to spending the week with your kids!
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