The Charles County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Unit held its annual Kops for Kids Football Camp at North Point High School from June 21- 23.

The event kicked off with motivational speeches about the importance of teamwork from Coach Anthony “Mase” Mason and Sheriff Troy D. Berry, who reiterated the importance of teamwork and also stressed the significance of education.

About 60 students from across the county participated in the camp, during which they covered the basics of football and enjoyed some flag-football games against one another. Throughout the camp, students played and practiced with officers who offered mentorship in football and facets of life such as health and safety.

“We want to give them something to do during the summer and teach them about teamwork and doing their best,” Pfc. Patrick Mann, organizer for the event, said. “We try to keep the kids cool and have some fun.”
Elias Brock, a soon to be fourth grader at Berry Elementary School, was one of the students that participated in the camp. He said that his favorite part of the camp was playing flag football. “I really like the competition,” Brock said. He also thanked the officers and volunteers for their time. “Thank you for helping us achieve our goals.”
 

In addition to learning the basics of football and playing the sport, students were also taught several lessons applicable to their daily lives – covering topics including nutrition, perseverance, leadership and sportsmanship.

The CCSO had assistance from many volunteers including former Washington Redskin and current La Plata Football Coach Rod Milstead, as well as student athletes at La Plata, North Point and Westlake high schools who helped officers coach and train the students. Sue Poole and Eileen Shlagel, nurses from UMD Charles Regional Medical Center, volunteered their time to make sure the students remained hydrated and healthy.

The Kops for Kids Football Camp is one of five summer camps sponsored annually by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Unit, the others being the Ladies Leadership Soccer Camp, the Summer Youth Achievement Program, the Just Say No camp and the Badges for Baseball Camp.
Event Sponsors included the Waldorf Jaycees, Charles County Public Schools, Chick-fil-A, UTZ chips and Little Caesars.

Officers in photo:
Lt. C. Baker
Sgt. R. Vaughn
Sgt. W. Welch
Cpl. M. DePaulo
Cpl. R. Anderson
Pfc. K. Burger
Pfc. S. Cook
Pfc. L. Payne
Pfc. J. Thompson
Pfc. T. Smith
Pfc. P. Mann
Pfc. A. Upshaw
Pfc. D. Snyder