Sheriffs’ Camp Through the Eyes of a Deputy Sheriff

"Sheriffs’ Camp provides an environment where people actually care about them, talk to them like human beings and they actually feel like they belong,” said Deputy Sheriff Ron Bill, of the kids who attend the camp. “When I think of Sheriffs’ Camp these words come to mind; self-esteem, structure, respect, discipline, motivation, rewards, consequences and accomplishments.”

Bill, a veteran of both the Sheriffs’ Camp and the Broome County Sheriff’s Offi ce, has also worked as a counselor living in the cabin with the kids. “Working as a counselor gives you a whole different perspective for the kids,” Ron Bill said, of his volunteering to work as a camp counselor. “You watch the kids grow for that whole week then at the Friday night campfi re you listen to them thank you and they are hugging you and crying because they found a friend and they found trust.” “Your heart goes out to these kids that represent all walks of hardship,” says Deputy Bill, explaining his motivaton and commitment of so much time and effort to the Sheriffs’ camp. Deputy Ron feels strongly that the lessons provided by the camp’s structure is something that the kids can take home with them.

“In talking with a lot of these kids, it’s very easy to see who runs the house and unfortunately, it is not the parents,” Bill said. “It’s really sad to think that a nine year old has to be the parent and wants no part of it, but has no choice because Mom and Dad don’t want to bother being parents.”

A boy from Broome County, who could be described as a borderline juvenile delinquent, was selected to go to Sheriffs’ Camp. Ron Bill had made a mental note to keep a close eye on him. He developed a dialogue, but they were clearly butting heads. The boy explained to Deputy Bill that at home he did what he wanted, he was the boss and he told his parents what to do. Well, Deputy Bill made it very clear that wasn’t the way it was at camp, and if he didn’t straighten out, there would be consequences.

All week he kept reaching out to the kid with positive thoughts and an open ear. He didn’t know if he had reached him until the Friday night campfi re when he came up to Ron and gave him a “Yogi Bear bear hug” and thanked him.

A couple of years ago this same boy, now well mannered and groomed came up to Ron Bill, though Ron didn’t recognize him, and asked if his cousin could go to the Sheriffs’ Camp because when he was young he had attended the camp and it had “saved his life.” Ron asked him who he was. “I almost started to cry when I found out who this young man was,” Bill recalled with enormous pride. “I grabbed him and we hugged. He told me he was going to college to be a Doctor.”

Editors Note – The cousin is now also an alumnus of Sheriffs’ Camp

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