In 2003, the Louisiana State Police re-established Camp Win-A-Friend. Formed nearly 30 years ago, Camp Win-A-Friend was originally funded and maintained by the Louisiana State Police. The summer camp for youth is located at its original site in Holden on the beautiful Tickfaw River. The facility is ideally suited for swimming and canoeing, as well as archery, hiking and various other resident camp activities. Troopers bring campers from their own communities and stay with the kids at camp.
Campers spent five days and four nights with the men and women of the Louisiana State Police serving as counselors and mentors. The Louisiana Trooper Foundation sponsors six one week camping sessions and every child attends the camp free of charge. The campers enjoyed camp activities such as the always-popular pinewood derby car races, horseshoes, BB gun competition, tug of war, boardwalk, volleyball, baseball, swimming, flag etiquette, canoeing and leapfrog.
As children arrive at camp, they are divided into groups of eight. Each morning campers begin the day by raising the flag and learning proper flag etiquette. Each day is filled with leadership and team-building activities/exercises. Various educational presentations are provided by the Louisiana State Police, other state agencies, individuals and business leaders from throughout the state.
There are four sessions of camp (three sessions for boys and one session for girls). A maximum of 36 children will attend each session. Selected children will attend the camp session specifically designated for their troop area. Boys camp sessions are Troops B, C & L, June 16 - 20; Troops E, F & G, June 23 - 27; Troops A/HQ, D & I, July 14 - 18. Girls camp dates are July 7 - 11 Statewide Selection.
The age group of the children selected to attend the camps will be boys and girls between the ages of 10 - 12 who have successfully completed the 5th, 6th or 7th grade. Boys and girls shall not have reached their 13th birthday by date of encampment.
Camp applications can be picked up at your local troop or by calling the Louisiana Trooper Foundation at (225) 346-4357.
Support Camp Win-A-Friend and other youth-oriented and community related programs sponsored by the Foundation by sending your tax-deductible contribution today! Please make your check payable to the Louisiana Trooper Foundation. For more information about the Foundation, call Suzanne Ponder, Executive Director, at (225) 346-HELP (4357) or write P.O. Box 65076 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70896. Please visit our web site http://www.louisianatrooperfoundation.org/.