Volunteers of America Wyoming & Montana, Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs, Wyoming Peace Officers Association, and Wyoming National Guard Counterdrug Operation provide an innovative and successful tobacco, alcohol, drug and crime prevention program for Wyoming youth.  Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. (Peace Officers Striving To Create And Reinforce Dreams) is a free week-long camp designed to benefit some of Wyoming's most deserving fifth and sixth graders through direct involvement and mentoring with a variety of law enforcement and criminal justice professionals. 

For many of our campers, this represents his/her first camp experience and is a dream come true.  This popular and successful program has proven to be an important opportunity to build strong relationships and valuable life skills that serve our campers, their families, and their communities.

The main goals of Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. are to establish positive bonds between the children and law enforcement and criminal justice professionals and to use that relationship to help reduce crime and the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. The experience provides a safe environment that stresses appropriate role models, ideals and values.  Campers are allowed and expected to share their thoughts, feelings and ideas and learn the importance of self-respect and respect for others, teamwork, self-control and dignity.  

Throughout the week, a variety of planned activities help children build self-esteem and leadership and decision-making skills.  This includes a number of specialized team-building activities and events.  Camp participants also take part in outdoor activities such as rock climbing, police demonstrations, archery, team building activities, concerts, crafts, outdoor experiences and guest speakers. For many of our campers, this is the first time they have experienced these kinds of activities that many of us take for granted.  The dedicated staff and volunteers (many who return year after year) focus on helping the children be successful.  Through this safe and positive environment, memories are created that last a lifetime.

Local law enforcement officers, school resource officers, school personnel and community members identify children who would benefit from the camp experience.  The overall program is designed to coordinate and share information with the schools and community-based services that children will use when they finish camp.  An important goal is to help empower children to take more control of and responsibility for their own decisions, actions and, ultimately, their future.  The program also increases awareness for schools, parents and communities about the issues that are important to children. By the end of Camp, our plan is to have 130 children that take responsibility for their own decisions, actions and ultimately their future.

Camp P.O.S.T.C.A.R.D. will be held at Casper Mountain the week of June 13th-18th, 2010. For more information please contact Traci Kroger at (307) 672-0475 or via e-mail at tkroger@voawymt.org.