Pubdate: Mon, 12 Jun 2006
Source: Hutchinson News, The (KS)
Copyright: 2006 The Hutchinson News
Contact:  http://www.hutchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1551
Author: Matt McNabb
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

D.A.R.E CAMP EDUCATES KIDS ABOUT HEALTHY HABITS, CHOICES

BARTON COUNTY - After two busy days at the Reno County  Sheriff's 
Office D.A.R.E. Camp, 96 students wound down  their time Sunday at 
Camp Aldrich with a magic show,  awards presentation, nacho lunch and 
a last round of  activities.

The students, from Reno County school districts other  than 
Hutchinson USD 308, went through the D.A.R.E.  program last school 
year and will be going into sixth  and seventh grades next year, said 
Sgt. Jim Potter, a  school resource officer with the sheriff's office.

The three-day camp north of Ellinwood presents them  with a chance to 
make new friends with those from other  schools, and some they might 
attend school with next  year, Potter said.

And though the camp has no set curriculum, counselors  and staff do 
talk to the children about risks,  decisions and healthy choices.

Sometimes, the message comes through unusual channels,  like from 
Eric Woods, a magician from Independence, Mo.

Woods' show Sunday morning was the first time he  incorporated a 
substance-abuse resistance message into  his act in the five years 
he's been performing magic.

But he learned the craft under L.C. Collier, who has  performed at 
the camp in the past. Still, Woods picked  up on a few slight changes 
he'd make next time at the  camp to better tailor the show for its audience.

The campers didn't seem to mind. When he asked for a  volunteer, most 
hands went up.

About 30 volunteers helped the camp go smoothly, Potter  said, 
including seven people in law enforcement, school  employees and 
older students who've gone through the  D.A.R.E. program.

Two of the older students - Susan Hoover, 19, and  Chelsey Butler, 
20, both of Hutchinson - went through  the program but didn't attend camp.

Though this was their first year as counselors, both  said they saw 
the camp's benefits.

"It gives kids a chance to learn things that are not  drug-related," 
Butler said.

It also teaches the children, at a fairly early age,  that law 
enforcement officers are not enemies, Hoover  said.

"Probably most all the adults here are officers or have  contact with 
the law," she said.

The anti-drug message, both counselors said, likely  sticks better 
when it comes in a less formal setting  and not from parents.

"You don't have to do drugs to be cool, as cliche as  that sounds," 
Hoover said.
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