ST. MARTIN PARISH — Children in St. Martin Parish took part in a local camp designed to keep them active, engaged and learning while on summer break.
The program organized by the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office offered a variety of activities while also giving campers the chance to build relationships with local law enforcement.
"Some of the highlights of our event are the horses, that's the mounted patrol, AirMed, we had Air Med yesterday landed right here. It's one of our great events, drone demonstrations, SWAT operations," said Captain Gabriel Gauthier with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Beckett Breaux said one of the most interesting portions of the event was the horsemanship tutorials, where kids were taught how not to interact with and around a horse, how to mount and all the basics of horseriding.
"Some kids never even seen a horse, much less touch or rode a horse, and when you bring kids back to basics and doing things like that, it gives a good relationship and a good rapport between law enforcement and our kids," Sheriff Breaux said.
Gauthier said the main goal was to create interest in law enforcement and public service in youth.
Camp organizers said they hoped the experience left a positive and lasting impression on the children taking part.
