Jackson County allocates funds to support youth police camp

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) — The Jackson County Board has allocated $20,000 from national opioid settlement funds to support the 2025 Team Illinois Youth Police Camp.

The week-long camp, held at the Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, aims to promote educational and learning opportunities for youth ages 13-17 from diverse backgrounds.

Areas of focus include law enforcement engagement, leadership, cultural diversity and substance abuse prevention. The camp is operated by local police and sheriff departments, social service agencies, the Illinois National Guard and the Illinois State Police.

The camp starts June 8 and ends with graduation on June 14. This initiative underscores the county’s commitment to supporting youth development and proactive substance use prevention education.