Statements
Mission
The Andrew Jackson Police Youth Camp is focused on building community relationships by working with Nashville's underprivileged and at-risk children in a safe environment in order to positively influence the perception these children have of police officers. The weeklong curriculum of activities is designed to develop life skills, such as team building and decision making. Another goal is the breaking down of cultural barriers through interaction between police officer camp counselors and these children, giving them a positive vision for their future.
Background
Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 5 has a long history of working with underprivileged children in the community. These programs are funded by donations from the community we serve as well as other various fund-raising efforts conducted throughout the year. The Camp has been in operation and staffed by Fraternal of Police members and retirees since the 1960s. However, it was incorporated in 1991 and at that time gained 501(c) (3) nonprofit status. Over the years, the outreach to at-risk youth has expanded and now includes a Christmas program, Cops & Kids; this is an opportunity for qualifying children to shop for themselves and their families at no cost to them. The shopping event is supervised by volunteer police officers who then escort the children to lunch and gift-wrapping at the local Lodge#5 hall. In 2022, there were over 100 children at this event. Recently, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops have been permitted to use the spacious hall at the camp for their meetings on Sundays and Mondays at no cost. Serendipitously, the Camp has benefited from the energies of several Eagle Scouts who have chosen to make much needed improvements and enhancements on the property in the execution of their various projects.
Impact
The 35-acre property has been developed into a site that has a pool, bunk house, mess hall, athletic fields, basketball court, and lake access. The week-long curriculum of activities is designed to develop team building and break down cultural barriers. The counselors are sworn police officers working in conjunction with the city to break the stereotype these children normally have of police officers. The camp serves 300 children per summer on average. All week long, the campers interact with their counselors who they see dressed in t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops. On the last day of camp, the campers are awakened by these same counselors who appear before them in full uniform. An impact is made!
Our Christmas program, Cops & Kids (formerly known as Shop with a Cop), serves 75-8100 children per year and the numbers increase each year.
Needs
These programs are funded by donations from the community. We are a non-profit organization, and every donation serves to support the programs. Monetary donations may be sent to: Andrew Jackson Police Youth Camp, 440 Welshwood Drive Suite 100 Nashville, TN 37211 Supplies for the summer camp are also needed, including bath & hand soaps, shampoo, conditioner, sunblock, twin bedding, towels and washcloths. For the Cops & Kids Program, supplies such as wrapping paper, tape, and name tags are needed.
The Youth Camp was incorporated in 1991, but it has been in operation since the 1960s. Many of the facilities are aging out and there are plans to rebuild and repurpose many of those buildings. There is an SOV (estimate available for review) of $1.2 to complete this work. However, the cost of building materials has increased exponentially since that 2019 estimate was presented, so the work has not yet been completed. There were no camps in 2020 owing to the pandemic. During a Metro school fall break, a weeklong day camp was offered for the first time and 50 children enrolled. Weekend camps are under consideration, assuming sufficient staffing can be arranged.
The cost for the summer program, for example, costs approximately $150,000, approximately $500 per each child.
CEO Statement
This Andrew Jackson Police Youth Camp is unique in that it is staffed by active and retired police officers who volunteer their time to work with at-risk and underprivileged children in a week-long summer camp setting. The camp counselors/police officers interact with these children all week during meals, on the sports fields, on field trips. Friendships are formed with the officers and among the campers themselves. On the last day of each camp week, the counselors, all week long wearing shorts and t-shirts, appear in full uniform. The great outdoor experience these kids have in the company of law enforcement will resonate with them personally and in the neighborhoods and communities they call home.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development Programs |
| Secondary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development-Citizenship |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
At-risk and underprivileged boys and girls ages 8 - 12 from all over Davidson County (encountered by Metro Police Officers in the course of their duties in neighborhoods they patrol) are able to participate in one-week long summer camps at the 35-acre property located in Wilson County on Old Hickory Lake at no cost to them. The camps are run by volunteer camp counselors who are sworn Metro Police or retired officers. The Christmas program, Cops& Kids, serves 75-100 children per year.
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Wilson |
