Putnam Kids Count may partner with Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch

Scott Stockton

Putnam County Kids Count, organizers of 13 annual character camps for area K-8 students, are in talks with the nearby Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch to offer new and expanded student experiences in 2022.

“PCKC volunteers are making great use of downtime caused by COVID-19 to investigate enhancing future camp activities and enlarging PCKC’s impact to schools countywide,” Putnam County Sheriff Scott Stockton said.

Until now, PCKC focused mainly on youth from North Putnam Community Schools, where most volunteers and donors lived. Recently, the Putnam County Community Foundation awarded a grant, so PCKC could expand its weeklong day camp to include students from the Greencastle, Cloverdale and South Putnam school districts.

Stockton, a longtime supporter of PCKC, serves as a volunteer board member of the not-for-profit Youth Ranch for future law enforcement officers and at-risk kids. He sees a unique opportunity for students from across Putnam County to benefit from a partnership with the 62-acre youth academy in adjacent Clay County.

“We’re in talks about collaborating with the Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch, because they provide so much at their new training retreat next door,” Cindy Huddleston, PCKC founder and executive director, said. “They offer hiking, swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing and archery shooting. They also have classes about K-9 handling, drone use and safe ATV riding.”

Huddleston said PCKC camps could continue to focus on character building, but also expand to teach all R.A.N.C.H. lessons – respect, animals, nature, character and health. Age-appropriate first aid, personal security, firearm safety and drug awareness activities could be offered. Forestry, weather and equestrian training are being discussed, she said.

“Heritage Lake families and others from NPCS could continue to play integral roles in planning and hosting our not-for-profit PCKC camp,” Huddleston said. “A partnership with the sheriffs, deputies and their Youth Ranch next year might be just what we need to take our neighborhood project to a sustainable, next level benefiting a new generation of kids from throughout Putnam County.”

To donate or for more information, email the Youth Ranch at ScottMinier@yahoo.com, call 317-460-4242 or write to Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch, 5325 N. State Road 59, Brazil, IN 47834.