ROBERTSDALE, Alabama --- All too often, the first encounter today’s youth have with law enforcement is a negative one. Deputy Jeff Spaller with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office wants to change that.

Four years ago, Spaller created the Shining Star Camp for boys and girls ages 8 to 13 years old.

“We want to get them at an impressionable age and be positive role models that they can look up to, said Spaller, who is the school resource officer with the BCSO.

This year, the camp is being held in three locations. The first camp was held June 13-16 at Baldwin County High School in Bay Minette. The second camp was held this past week at Central Baldwin Middle School in Robertsdale while the final camp will be held Aug. 1-4 at Fairhope Intermediate School.

This is the second year the BCSO has hosted the other two camps. So far, both the Bay Minette camp and the Robertsdale camp reached the maximum of 100 participants.

Following a daily introduction of camp rules by Spaller and Deputy Ron Brown, campers are split up into groups and rotated into four to six daily demonstrations.

Wednesday featured demonstrations by Alligator Alley and Deputy Wes Moore and canine officer Sou with the BCSO K-9 Unit.

The afternoon session on Wednesday featured a demonstration by the BCSO Mounted Posse and a Taser demonstration by the BCSO Corrections Division.

Thursday’s activities featured an electricity demonstration by Baldwin EMC, a program by Baldwin County Mental Health, narcotics awareness by the BCSO narcotics division and a program on Internet safety by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Friday’s camp featured a team building demonstration by Project Rebound; an alcohol awareness golf cart course demonstration by the Alabama State Troopers and the Daphne Police Department; boating/personal water craft awareness demonstrations by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Marine Police Division; and railroad safety presented by Operation Life Saver.

“We really want to focus on public safety and empowerment,” Spaller said. “We want to teach them the right way to do things and how to interact with authority figures and their parents for a positive outlook.”

The camp wrapped up on Saturday with graduation and awards with Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack Jr.

The day also family free time provided by Miller’s Grand Events, along with displays and demonstrations from the BCSO Fleet, Alabama Marine Police, Alabama Operation Lifesaver, Baldwin EMS, Robertsdale Fire Department, BCSO mounted posse, BCSO K-9, BCSO narcotics and Project Rebound.

Also participating in the camp were the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office, Baldwin County Public School System, Baldwin Court Services, Baldwin Substances Services, Buffalo Rock Pepsi, Chick Fil-A of Spanish Fort, Eastern Shore Parent Magazine, Foley Police Department, Goo Roo’s of Robertsdale, Greer’s Fresh Market, Gulf Shores Police Department, Hot Wheels Skate Center of Daphne, LA BBQ of Summerdale, the Loxley Police Department, Riviera Utilities, Rohr/Goodrich Company, Strike City Lanes, The Print Shop, U.S. Coast Guard Each participant also took home “Swag” bags, Spaller said, filled with momentoes of the event, including deputies badges and literature.

“We want to give them things that they can take home and show their parents,” he said, “things that they parents can also read and provide tools for interaction.”