News - D.A.R.E. camp helps kids with school transition

The camp is held for four weeks in July and August, with weekly sessions for campers. It is presented by the Saratoga Partnership for Prevention, Saratoga Springs City School District and the Saratoga Springs City Police D.A.R.E. program.

All Star Camp is held at the Saratoga PBA Range in Weibel Road, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. This year, 192 fifth graders are taking part in the camp.

“The whole idea started on a lark, and no one was really sure if it would take off, but parents and children really liked it,” said Robin Ambrosino of the Saratoga Partnership for Prevention.

At camp, children from the six elementary schools are mixed together to become familiar with each other and make new friends before entering the middle school.

“It’s a big transition for children,” said camp director Erin Lloyd. “We want to help ease that transition while reinforcing what the D.A.R.E. program taught them about risky behavior.”

The camp is organized around a substance abuse prevention curriculum and is designed to reinforce shared group norms against substance use, promote the development of goals and a positive vision for the future and to support children in making and publicly declaring commitments that will help them to achieve those goals.

“If we ask the children individually what they think about people who do drugs or drink and drive, they will most likely say they are stupid. We have games and surveys that show them that they all agree and share the same opinions,” Lloyd said.

The camp uses five strategies to deter the onset of risky behaviors—use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and engaging in sexual activity and violence. These strategies include:

• Reinforcing the belief that risky behaviors are not normal or acceptable by the adolescent's peer group

• Cultivating the belief that risky behaviors do not fit with the youth's personal ideals and future aspirations

• Creating voluntary personal and public commitments to not participate in risky behaviors

• Strengthening relationships between the adolescent and positive social institutions

• Helping parents listen to their children, communicate clear expectations about alcohol and drugs, and support their children as they work towards positive life goals.

To accomplish this, camp counselors engage the children in large group discussions, group activities, games, arts and crafts and written work.

All Stars Camp isn’t all about learning, however. Daily activities provide recreation and fun to make this summer camp an enjoyable experience. Counselors lead games, crafts, kickboxing, drumming, gold and lacrosse, among various other activities. In order to go outside and stay out of the rain, Bonaccio Construction donated a large wooden pavilion, specifically for All Star Camp use.

New this year, the “Law Dogs,” a group of public safety employees, police officers, firefighters, emergency service technicians and military personnel from around the region, are rolling into camp on motorcycles to present first aid and fire prevention workshops to campers.

As always, on the last day of camp, the campers are taken to Maple Avenue Middle School to take a tour of their new school, practice with locker combinations and discuss middle school academics and culture with staff and students.

“It really helps ease the minds of the children. It’s a huge transition for them, and this helps answer some of their questions,” Lloyd said.