The Selma Police Department intends to give children a piece of summer filled with trust and teamwork, but the department might need some help in doing that. 

The Selma Police Department, Boy Scouts of America and the Tukabatchee Area Council have organized a free youth leadership camp. The camp will begin June 29 and end July 3. It will be held at Camp Tukabatchee at Warner Scout Reservation, which is located north of Prattville off of County Road 40 and County Road 59 North in Autauga County. The camp hopes to take in 40 youth, ages 12-15 under the wings of law enforcement officers to build a strong relationship amongst officials, participants, the Boy Scouts of America, and local businesses and organizations. The youth will be chosen by their schools to participate in the camp.

Selma Police Chief William Riley said the camp will also be a way for kids to enjoy new ventures in life.

“It’s a chance to do some canoeing, swimming and archery,” he said. “We’re trying to get kids at the youngest age possible to understand the value of working together and solving problems to reach a common goal.”

The goals of the leadership camp could be more easily reached with help from the community, Riley said. He said the department has distributed letters and flyers to churches and organizations in the city. The department is looking to raise a minimum of $15,000 for the camp to provide a healthy conducive environment for participants.

As an example, participation for one youth would cost $375. Riley said citizens or organizations can choose to fund one child, or just give a monetary donation or check to the Selma Police Department Leadership Camp. Those interested can stop by the Selma Police Department.

“Our goal is to establish this (the camp) and raise as much funding as we can, so we can continue to do it each year,” Riley said.

Hopefully the community will get involved in helping to fund the camp because it might form positivity in the lives children and the city, Riley said.

“You always see on the news where kids are getting in trouble,” he said. “This is an opportunity to have a positive interaction with these children.”