Junior YIP Camp: Youth Leading Youth

From August 5 to 7, the Durham Regional Police Service’s (DRPS) Youth in Policing (YIP) Initiative proudly hosted its 16th annual Junior YIP Leadership Camp — a free, three-day program for youth ages 10 to 13.

This year, 100 campers joined our YIP Students for a mix of hands-on activities, leadership challenges, and unforgettable learning experiences.

Each day brought something new:

• Day 1: Icebreakers, custom shirt decorating, interactive activity rotations, and a special visit from the DRPS Canine Unit.
• Day 2: A high-energy scavenger hunt, a mock crime scene investigation with the DRPS Forensics Unit, and more interactive rotations.
• Day 3: Presentations from the Earth Rangers, DRPS Tactical Support Unit, and the DRPS Internet Child Exploitation Unit, giving youth an inside look at how each team keeps our community safe.
  
  The day ended with a proud graduation ceremony where campers crossed the stage to receive their certificates.

The camp’s success was fueled by the enthusiasm of  our very own DRPS officers, who gave campers a chance to see policing beyond the uniform. Their presence helped build trust, inspire leadership, and strengthen community connections.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of organizers, volunteers, DRPS members, supportive families, and—most importantly—the campers themselves. Together, we created a week filled with laughter, learning, and lasting memories. Thank you to everyone who made it happen!

Want to join the YIP experience? Follow @drps_yip on Instagram and Twitter, or drps.yip on Facebook. Applications for the 2025-26 Winter Initiative are now open and close August 25, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. Learn more at www.drps.ca/yipor email youthinpolicing@drps.ca.