State police prepare to host Sunny Day Camp for children, adults with special needs

The state police’s annual Camp Cadet summer program offers children a chance to meet and interact with law enforcement.

A few years ago, a trooper in the Lancaster area decided that opportunity should also extend to children and adults with special needs or disabilities, and the Sunny Day Camp program was born.

“They can talk with personnel, develop a relationship with troopers in a relaxed atmosphere and have some exciting and fun things to see,” said Tpr. Cliff Greenfield, who participates in the Camp Cadet program in Indiana.

This year’s camp will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aug. 7 at the YMCA of Indiana County. It is the third year that Camp Cadet and local YMCA officials have partnered to host the Sunny Day Camp.

“It’s all about building relationships with our community and showing people that we’re reaching out and trying to build that trust,” Greenfield said.

Troop A will combine Camp Cadet and the Sunny Day Camp, Greenfield said.

“We bus our cadets to the Sunny Day Camp at the YMCA, and they’ll join them and experience the same things,” Greenfield said.

Participants will interact with troopers and meet members of the state police’s specialized units: aviation, K9, bomb squad, patrol and others.

Registration is due by July 24, and can be completed at SunnyDayCamp.org, where other camp locations can be found. There is no cost to attend.

“It’s always a pleasure to see the smiles on kids’ and adults’ faces,” Greenfield said. “It’s such a unique experience, for them to see what we do behind the scenes.”