SMYRNA – Seventy-two youngsters were present yesterday for the second day of the Chenango County Sheriff’s 19th annual summer camp.

The Sheriff’s Summer Camp is designed to instill adolescents with a positive influence they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Members of the Sheriff’s Office, along with camp counselors and various guests, focus on teaching kids strong character traits while at the same time having fun. Each day of the week a specific theme is chosen, based on respect, caring, honor and responsibility. Counselors, law enforcement officers and first responders then attempt to teach the children different ways in which they can practically incorporate and express these ideals in their daily lives. Ultimately, organizers hope to reduce crime rates by teaching children to respect their fellow human beings as well as themselves.

On the home front, kids are taught to be conscience of whether or not their actions will hurt their siblings, parents or other family members. In other cases it may be a lesson as simple as ladies before gents.

“How we know this works is through the kids who first attended 19 years ago,” said Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting, who noted that many of the campers who have taken part in the summer program since its inception have returned to volunteer and help out in whatever way they can.

“It’s fun,” said camp counselor Michaela Reynolds. “I love the kids and the stuff they do here.”