Thirty-two kids gathered in Cayce for the last two weeks learning from a variety of community leaders.

The children got the opportunity as part of the second annual Cayce Character Camp, held at Cayce Elementary School. The camp is an initiative of the Cayce Police Department, with the stated intention to  invest in the youth while connecting the community with the department’s officers.

“Chief [Chris] Cowan wanted to bridge the gap between community and officers. Some things he pushes are inclusivity and diversity,” said Camp Director and Brookland-Cayce High School School Resource Officer Jarvis Riley said. “In order to help solve crimes we have to have community involvement.”

The camp lasted eight days, welcoming kids ranging from 6 to 14, who learned a different character trait every day. Concepts like being “trustworthy,” “honest” and “dependable” were demonstrated with activities. 

In addition to learning about these character traits from the SROs, who served as camp counselors, the kids had a routine schedule each day, including fitness, crafts and field trips and activities including community partners.

More than 10 community partners were involved, including Lexington County School District 2 (which oversees Cayce Elementary), City of Cayce administration and the S.C. Fire Academy.

Riley pointed out that health and fitness are important for both physical and mental health, which was emphasized when representatives from Lexington Medical Center talked with the students about healthy eating and Eau Claire Cooperative Health spoke with campers about different food groups. 

The director said he hopes campers will keep the character traits they learned in mind throughout the school year.

“We want them to get off to a great school year and take it on for the rest of their lives,” Riley said.

Cowan, the city’s police chief, emphasized, “It’s imperative we stay connected with the kids over the summer.”

“We have SROs in every school in Cayce and we learn about trends,” the chief said. “It’s not just about camp. They’re called SROs for a reason because they’re a resource for us and parents. We have to stay connected.”

Cowan said he’s proud of his SROs for “taking this [camp] to a whole other level,” connecting education, fitness and emotional and psychological aspects.

While the campers learned about character traits and various services and job opportunities in their community, the officers also got to hang out with the kids and learn from them.

“We learned about what’s going on in their lives, whether it’s peer pressure or social pressure. We learned what kids see that we don’t see,” Cowan said, adding that the pandemic “was very hard for the young people and parents may talk about the cost of living difficulties. It allows us to help support them.”

The camp will be held again next year, and Cowan said they are looking to have more field trips and more unique opportunities for the kids.

 “We are always looking for donations and community partners,” Riley said. “It’s a way to bridge the gap between the community we serve and our officers.”

Enrollment will begin in March or April for next summer’s camp, and the opportunity is open to kids outside Cayce.

The cost for this year’s camp was $60 per kid, which included breakfast, lunch and a T-shirt.

“We’re not going to turn any youth away,” Cowan said.

Emori West and Elijah Hook, both 10, participated in the camp for both years so far. 

West said she “liked the camp counselors” and hanging out with them.

“I learned I can make friends in town by getting to know people instead of it being based on looks,” she said.

Hook said his favorite part was definitely the S.C. Fire Academy. 

“This camp is awesome,” he said.