D.A.R.E CAMP EDUCATES KIDS ABOUT HEALTHY HABITS, CHOICES

BARTON COUNTY - After two busy days at the Reno County Sheriff's
Office D.A.R.E. Camp, 96 students wound down their time Sunday at
Camp Aldrich with a magic show, awards presentation, nacho lunch and
a last round of activities.

The students, from Reno County school districts other than
Hutchinson USD 308, went through the D.A.R.E. program last school
year and will be going into sixth and seventh grades next year, said
Sgt. Jim Potter, a school resource officer with the sheriff's office.

The three-day camp north of Ellinwood presents them with a chance to
make new friends with those from other schools, and some they might
attend school with next year, Potter said.

And though the camp has no set curriculum, counselors and staff do
talk to the children about risks, decisions and healthy choices.

Sometimes, the message comes through unusual channels, like from
Eric Woods, a magician from Independence, Mo.

Woods' show Sunday morning was the first time he incorporated a
substance-abuse resistance message into his act in the five years
he's been performing magic.

But he learned the craft under L.C. Collier, who has performed at
the camp in the past. Still, Woods picked up on a few slight changes
he'd make next time at the camp to better tailor the show for its audience.

The campers didn't seem to mind. When he asked for a volunteer, most
hands went up.

About 30 volunteers helped the camp go smoothly, Potter said,
including seven people in law enforcement, school employees and
older students who've gone through the D.A.R.E. program.

Two of the older students - Susan Hoover, 19, and Chelsey Butler,
20, both of Hutchinson - went through the program but didn't attend camp.

Though this was their first year as counselors, both said they saw
the camp's benefits.

"It gives kids a chance to learn things that are not drug-related,"
Butler said.

It also teaches the children, at a fairly early age, that law
enforcement officers are not enemies, Hoover said.

"Probably most all the adults here are officers or have contact with
the law," she said.

The anti-drug message, both counselors said, likely sticks better
when it comes in a less formal setting and not from parents.

"You don't have to do drugs to be cool, as cliche as that sounds,"
Hoover said.