Shawnee County

Youth Academy

Program Overview

The Shawnee County Sheriff's Office Youth Academy is designed to allow children an opportunity to learn more about the Sheriff's Office and all that we offer to our community. Students will see demonstrations from various units within the Sheriff's Office and they will see numerous presentations from community partners as well.

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2024 Youth Academy Graduation

Participation Criteria and Selection

Picture of Citizens Academy Group 2024 Youth Academy Silver Lake and Rossville Youth

The Sheriff's Office Youth Academy is completely free of charge and is open for incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. There is a limit on the number of children accepted into each camp, so do not hesitate to get signed up!

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Course Activities

The Sheriff's Office Youth Academy is typically held during the first few weeks of June. The Youth Academy runs from 8am until 12pm daily for the week. Before 2020, we held three separate weeks of youth academies at three separate schools. In 2025, we are excited to be back at two weeks of camp at two different middle schools in Shawnee County.

Program topics include overviews of:

  • The structure and activities of the Sheriff's Office
  • Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Team
  • Vaping & prescription pills
  • Basic first aid and CPR
  • The fire department
  • Impaired driving
  • Firearms safety
  • Weather safety
  • Tire changes
  • The K-9 Unit
  • Jurisdictions
  • Spike strips
  • Lidar/radar
  • Topeka Zoo
  • Drones
  • Taser
  • And so much more!