(SBA) - In the spirit of popular TV shows like NCIS and CSI, a unique summer camp called Crime Investigation Camp was held in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, giving children the opportunity to step into the shoes of crime scene investigators. This hands on program, organized by the Woodbury County Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office, was held for the second time on June 13th, and its popularity has led to a waiting list for future camps.
The young participants were tasked with solving a fictional crime involving ‘Sally’, a baker found unresponsive in a park after being convicted of fraud. The investigation involved examining her lunch, reconstructing loan documents, and scrutinizing three friends who were with her and are now considered suspects.
Upon arrival at the camp, the children were deputized by Woodbury County Sheriff Deputy Sage Lewis and Detective Donovan Masters, who have been integral to the camp’s operations since its inception two years ago. The kids had the opportunity to examine evidence collected at the scene, including hands-on experience with fingerprinting evidence and inspecting a phone.
Heather Craig, ISU Extension and Outreach Communications Coordinator for Woodbury County, shared that the camp leaves the children excited and eager to pursue careers as deputies or detectives. They relish the chance to conduct science experiments, reconstruct documents, and learn fingerprinting techniques.
Detective Masters echoed this sentiment, noting the children’s motivation and enthusiasm. “It’s fun watching when they start doing the investigation. They see this stuff on TV and it kind of lights a fire in them,” he said.
The next camp is scheduled for July 18th in Moville. For more information about the Crime Investigation Camp or other summer programs hosted by the Extension, visit their website at http://extension.iastate.edu/woodbury.
