OC Sheriff’s Office holds First Annual Football Camp for Kids

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office announces the completion of their first annual Football Camp, tells Public Information Officer Jimmy Watt. “The camp was held last week at Seneca High School starting on Wednesday and concluding Friday. 40 kids, made up from rising 6th graders plus 7th and 8th graders, were invited to be part of the camp, with 33 kids turning out for the first two days of the camp and 25 for the final day of the camp, which included a scrimmage that was held at Tom Bass Field, the home of the Seneca Bobcats. The cost of the camp was free of charge to those who participated. In regards to the hot conditions last week, the campers and volunteers were given frequent breaks to hydrate and snack on foods such as apples and bananas. The campers and volunteers were provided lunch at the end of each day before they went home. Plus, a licensed trainer from Play Safe was on hand during all three days in case any medical issues were reported. Several Deputies and Detention Officers (some of whom played football and other sports in high school and college) volunteered to coach and mentor at the camp as well as officers from other agencies, including former Clemson Football players Yusef Kelly (Easley Police Department) and Chris Chancellor (Clemson Police Department). The camp, which was organized by Lt. Chuck Hunter and Corporal Charles Mulwee, was designed and motivated to impact kids through sports. According to Corporal Mulwee, the campers loved it and told their parents so. Many of them hope to come back next year, according to Corporal Mulwee. Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw shared with the students some life lessons he learned from playing high school football.” “This football camp gives law enforcement another opportunity to build relationships with our youth. We want to help them improve their skill level to play the game but more importantly, we are trying to show them the life lessons that football can teach to each player regardless of their skill level,” said Sheriff Crenshaw. There are plans already in the works for the 2nd Sheriff’s Office Football Camp next year and that camp will last for an entire week instead of just three days. It will take place during the second week in June, after the Sheriff’s Office Leadership Camp, which will be held the first week of June next year. Also being planned for the third week in June next year is a soccer camp for boys and girls for the first two day of that week and a baseball camp for Wednesday – Friday of that week. All of the camps next year are scheduled to be held at Seneca High School. The camps next year will be on a first come, first serve basis with a maximum of 60 in the football camp, 50 in the baseball camp and 50 in two separate soccer camp (25 girls and 25 boys). Registration forms for the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office Football, Baseball and Soccer camps will be available before the camps at all public elementary and middle schools in Oconee County as well as at the Seneca, Walhalla and Westminster Recreation Departments.