Every year, Officer Kane and the Howard County Police Department (HCPD) host the P.L.E.D.G.E. Camp for rising 9th graders. The program aims to guide students’ leadership and build confidence before they start their high school journey. Also, when these kids begin their time at Marriotts Ridge, Officer Kane offers them the opportunity to go on day trips over the weekends or on days when there is no school. Past members of P.L.E.D.G.E. are prioritized for spots on the field trips, but anyone can be invited.
P.L.E.D.G.E. Camp, which stands for pride, leadership, education, diversity, growth, and evaluation, runs June 25th through the 29th and July 16th through the 20th. It is a five-day program designed to teach, demonstrate and encourage the six key fundamentals of life. If understood and applied, these fundamentals are believed to lead to success not only in high school but in life as well. In practice, the results are clear: students who have participated in P.L.E.D.G.E. can build lasting friendships with their school resource officer (SRO) and have a headstart into high school before entering the building.
“P.L.E.D.G.E. is a week-long camp that teaches kids leadership, communication, teamwork, and decision-making abilities. The whole idea is to bridge the gap from middle school into high school to build a relationship with your SRO,” Officer Kane said.
Building a relationship with the SRO before school starts can be very beneficial. New students can be intimidated by the larger environment of high school, and having one friend from the start might make all the difference.
Students who have finished P.L.E.D.G.E. also have the opportunity to attend the HCPD’s field trips. These trips can help students continue relationships with not only their SRO but also SROs from other schools and students from other schools. Just this year, the HCPD has gone to a United Racing go-kart track, a food kitchen for Thanksgiving and Stratosphere Social. It plans to attend an Orioles game at the club level later this year. Trips are entirely free to students, as the HCPD funds them through federal grants, and only a permission slip is required. On the morning of the trip, students will arrive at Howard High School to be picked up by the HCPD’s coach bus fully equipped with lights and sirens. From there, they will depart to the destination for a fun day.
Junior Zach Skinner, who went on the most recent trip to Stratosphere Social, said, “I like[d] hanging out with the officers, not only my school’s officer but all the other schools in the county and it was a really fun day all around bowling and playing arcade games.”
As far as Officer Kane’s involvement, he is heavily involved in the summer camp and you can often find him around the school engaging with students and staff. He enjoys talking with students as they go down to lunch and playing pickleball after school in tournaments. Outside of school, he loves being outdoors, playing golf and often travels south for tournaments. Without Officer Kane, the school would undoubtedly feel different and the school is very lucky to have him.
The HCPD is currently looking for students to fill spots for this summer’s camp. Students can enroll at the HCPD’s website or by contacting the central office for information. P.L.E.D.G.E. Camp offers rising 9th graders an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and build relationships with people in their new schools before high school and it can be a valuable experience for any new student to have.