Fun new camp will teach serious and potentially life saving lessons

In a partnership with Uprising, the Sheridan County YMCA is offering a new camp to empower youth to discover their inner strengths to make positive online choices in their lives and communities.

Uprising is a local 501(c)3 that focuses on bringing awareness, education and outreach to sex and human trafficking. 

With the increase of screen time in the lives of almost every American following the COVID-19 pandemic, online predatory actions toward children has increased as well. 

In a new report released to CBS News, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children said it received 29.3 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation in 2021—an increase of 35% from 2020 and an all-time high in the nation. 

The Sheridan County YMCA and Uprising have partnered to create a camp that teaches children to be critical of online communications. 

Known as the Uprising Community Hero Camps, these camps offer kids a chance to take part in fun, engaging activities that hone critical thinking skills about important topics like healthy relationships, online safety, consent and more.

YMCA Executive Director Liz Cassiday told listeners of Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse program that the Y has traditionally taught lessons in safety concerning the risks they face during outside recreation and sporting activities.

Junior Heros Camp is intended for children ages 8-10 and will operate June 20-24, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Community Heros Camp is designed for children ages 11-13 and will be held June 20-24, 

1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Cost is $35 for YMCA members and $45 for non-members.