Kentucky State Police and thousands of former camp attendees are celebrating a half century of summertime recreation and mentorship.
The fun takes place on an island at Dale Hollow Lake in southern Kentucky.
Trooper Island is being recognized this summer for 50 years of camp activities for underprivileged children. KSP Spokesman Sargent Michael Webb says it's a structured environment with fresh air, good food, recreation, and esteem building activities.
"It's a wonderful respite for these children to be able to go and just get away from all the busyness and other cares of this world and just go there and just have fun,” Webb said.
It's estimated more than 25 thousand boys and girls, age’s ten to twelve, have gathered on Trooper Island since 1965. Its origin is traced back to Ted Bassett, a former state police commissioner in the 1960's. Bassett went on to serve in various capacities at Keeneland race track for four decades.
"This is not for delinquent kids who have had a troubled past.” Webb said. “This is for children who are underprivileged, who would not ordinarily get an opportunity to go to camp or receive a fun opportunity like this in a summer and we want to reinvest them or shower them with love."
Webb says each summer, about 700 ten to 12 year old boys and girls attend the camp. KSP troopers from across the state chose children from all 120 counties.
"Ever since 1965 we've had troopers there every summer, every year, dressed in shorts and T-shirts, playing games with the kids, teaching them citizenship and building their self-esteem, and just having an overall good time with them,” Webb said.
