Since 2017 , Fayetteville Police Department ’ s Police Activity League ( PAL ) has typically hosted an annual two-week Summer Youth Empowerment Camp for youths aged 11-15 in the Fayetteville community . Even as rising COVID-19 cases put summer camps in a questionable situation , PAL pushed forward with creating a safe experience for campers . The Summer Youth Empowerment Camp provides a space in which youth and police officers can interact and form meaningful relationships . In addition to this , the summer camp provides breakfast , lunch , and transportation to campers free of charge , a welcome
benefit to parents . The 2020 Summer Youth Empowerment Camp kicked off with resounding success in the new PAL building , which was unveiled in December of 2019 . All campers and PAL staff were required to wear masksat all times and socially distance when possible . Cleaning was constant , with janitorial services in the morning , sanitizing throughout the day , and PAL staff wiping down after campers went home . Campers were provided two cloth masks and sanitizing supplies at the beginning of the camp , and had the ability to sew their own mask during the camp .
Throughout the camp , the youth also worked on a Public Service Announcement that conveyed their thoughts on Black Lives Matter , which is available to view through the FPD Youtube page and Facebook page . The purpose of the Police Activities league is to empower our community ’ s youth . In addition to this , the PAL Empowerment Camp is meant to cultivate a relationship between the officers of Fayetteville Police Department and the youth of Fayetteville . It is meant to teach students important lessons on how to use their voice without fear . Students learn how to lift themselves and others up , and how to set and achieve goals . Along with this , campers were able to experience activities such as mini-golf , bowling , rock climbing , and even shopping at Ft . Bragg ’ s Main Exchange . Some activities had to be modified in order to be experienced safely , such as bowling being hosted in-house at the PAL building , and the rock climbing experience coming to the camp with an outdoor climbing wall . The Fayetteville Police Department is proud to declare the 2020 Summer Youth Empowerment Camp a success !