For High School Juniors & Seniors
Interested in a Law Enforcement Career
Kiwanis Youth Law Enforcement Camp
The Kiwanis Youth Law Enforcement Camp (KYLEC) is for high school students who want to explore exciting, meaningful careers in public safety and law enforcement. If you’re curious, motivated, and ready to challenge yourself, this camp gives you a real look at what the field is all about.
You’ll experience the many paths law enforcement can take—from police officers and dispatchers to fish and wildlife officers, national park rangers, marine patrol, federal agencies, and K-9 units. Through hands-on activities like defensive tactics and firearms judgment simulations, you’ll learn how public safety professionals make decisions, work as a team, and serve their communities. This camp shows that law enforcement is a diverse field with opportunities for many interests and strengths.
Admission is competitive and includes an application, short essay, transcript review, and recommendations from teachers, coaches, youth leaders, or community members. From all applicants, 24 students are selected to attend the camp and take an important step toward a future in public safety.
Our Purpose
Who we are
KYLEC is a combined effort of PNW Kiwanis Clubs, the Washington State Patrol, Mason County Sheriff Department, and additional local, state, and federal agencies.
Our instructors and counselors come from across Washington state and many are graduates of the KYLEC program themselves!
Kiwanis members are key to the program success: organization, scheduling, funding, and even the occasional pizza run!
Location, Lodging & Meals
We are honored that the Washington State Patrol opens their Training Academy to host this weeklong event. Participants, referred to as cadets, will stay on campus throughout the week in the dorms. They will make their beds, maintain their personal effects, and have meals in the dining hall, just as a cadet training for a state trooper position would experience.
The WSP Academy, in Shelton, WA, is situated amid 190 acres of forest. Initially built in 1969, the campus includes an administration building, dormitory, dining hall/kitchen, a multi-purpose building with gym and water training tank, outdoor firing range, driver training course, auto shop, classrooms, and conference rooms.
Costs
No student is denied access due to financial circumstances. Through the combined support of local Kiwanis clubs and KYLEC, every student meeting application requirements is ensured this opportunity.
$50 is the responsibility of the participant.
Upon acceptance to the program, we will connect you to your local Kiwanis club representative who will sponsor you at the camp. (A $600 value.)
Camp includes:
(2) Uniform t-shirt with participant last name on back
(1) Uniform sweatshirt with last name on back
(1) Uniform baseball hat
(1) PT gym shorts
Lodging and meals for the week and all activities.
Participants are responsible for transportation to and from camp.
Dress code:
Cadettes are expected to wear jeans, belts, and exercise appropriate shoes. A packing list will be provided.
WSP and other police and sheriff departments provide officers to serve as instructors and counselors to students. This gives students a variety of experiences in federal, state, county, and local law enforcement.
Camp Sessions include:
Evidence Gathering, Forensic Science and Presentation
Court Room Procedures
Firearms and Weapon Safety
(using Firearms Training Simulator , no real firearms are used)
Military Drill and Flag Ceremony Drills
Stress Management and Preparation
Computers in Law Enforcement
Physical Fitness and Self Defense, Defensive Tactics
Nobility in Policing
Water Safety
Police Ethics
Guests may include: Fish and Wildlife, Emergency Dispatch, Liquor Control Board, and various Federal, State, and Local Law Enforcement agencies