York Regional Police is proud to host the third annual York Regional Police Leo McArthur Youth Leadership Camp at the Community Safety Village of York Region over two weeks in the month of July.

Between July 7 and 11 and July 21 and 25, 2008, students from Grades 4 and 5 who have exhibited strong leadership skills in their individual schools have been invited to further develop their leadership potential through a summer camp dedicated to enhancing character attributes reflective of leadership.

The students will participate in workshops specifically geared to character attributes including: respect, responsibility, courage, empathy, optimism, initiative, honesty, fairness, integrity and perseverance.

Special presentations by members of a variety of York Regional Police units including Forensic Identification, Emergency Response, Search and Rescue Unit and the Canine Units will teach students how officers use leadership skills in their jobs every day in their specific working environment.

This year’s Youth Leadership Camp has been named after Leo McArthur, a business leader in our community who displays several of the character attributes that will be developed throughout the camp. Leo was the recent winner of the 2006 Civic Leadership Award presented by York Regional Police. Leo will be coming back to assist us at the graduation ceremony on Friday.

York Regional Police Chief Armand La Barge will be on hand to address and motivate the participants on their first morning of camp on Monday, July 7, 2008, at 9 a.m.

Parents of participating youth are encouraged to join campers and staff on Friday, July 11, 2008, at 2 p.m., for a graduation barbecue, during which students will present skits on the skills they have learned throughout the week.

Media is invited to join York Regional Police staff and the campers throughout the week to observe camp activities. If you are interested, please contact Community Safety Village Coordinator Karen Richards at 905-927-1919, ext. 21.