Youth Mentorship Programs

Police Explorers

The Explorer Program offers young people the opportunity to learn and “explore” the law enforcement field. The program involves business and community leaders who can provide the Explorers with life experiences which can support the Explorers make educated decisions about their future.

The Police Athletic League (PAL) Program offers young people the opportunity to foster positive relationships through recreational, educational and mentoring programs. The program involves law enforcement and community members who can provide young people with life experiences which can provide opportunities that inspire leadership, academic and personal growth.

Junior Deputy Camp

The Jr. Deputy Camp is an exciting, hands-on experience designed to give kids a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement while building confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills. Campers learn about safety, crime prevention, and what it takes to serve their community including experiences like interactive activities, demonstrations from deputies and first responders, and plenty of fun along the way!

DARE

D.A.R.E. provides training for Deputies instructing students in school classrooms with a series of drug and violence prevention lessons. These lessons are designed for grades K -12. The DARE program was introduced in Warren County, VA Schools in 1987.

Kids' Camp

The Warren County, VA Sheriff's Summer Camp runs for five consecutive days. There is a wide variety of activities that campers and counselors participate in, including canoeing on the Shenandoah River, fishing, and a challenge course that builds confidence and teaches team work skills. The atmosphere is not only fun, it is also a learning experience for the campers as well as the counselors.

Heroes & Helpers

This special program gives youth in our community the opportunity to shop alongside deputies for holiday gifts-just for themselves. Partnering with Target, each participant is given a designated amount to spend on anything they choose, making the experience both fun and empowering. More than just shopping, this program helps build positive relationships between local law enforcement and the youth we serve, creating lasting memories during the holiday season.

Cops & Bobbers

"Cops & Bobbers" is an annual community outreach fishing event designed to foster positive relationships between local youth and law enforcement officers. Held in Warren County, VA, often at locations like Happy Creek, the event offers a fun, safe, and engaging environment for children and deputies to fish together.

Reading with the Sheriff

Reading with the Sheriff helps to foster positive relationships, promote literacy, and allow children to interact with law enforcement officers in a fun, safe environment. Sheriff's office members visit local libraries—such as Samuels Public Library—to read stories to children. These visits are part of the broader Community Policing Program initiated by the Sheriff's Office to build trust, reduce fear of crime, and engage with community members.

Water Safety

The Warren County, VA Sheriff's Summer Camp runs for five consecutive days. There is a wide variety of activities that campers and counselors participate in, including canoeing on the Shenandoah River, fishing, and a challenge course that builds confidence and teaches team work skills. The atmosphere is not only fun, it is also a learning experience for the campers as well as the counselors.

Bike and Traffic Safety

Bike and Traffic Safety classes are provided to all Warren County, VA Public Schools for students in grades 1-4. Bike Safety Rodeos are held for local youth annually and include the distribution of free bicycle helmets to children ages toddler through 16. During these events, deputies demonstrate how to properly wear a bike helmet and encourage the children to wear their helmets every time they ride. Traffic safety portion of these events include the recognition of traffic safety signs and stop lights, correct hand signals, importance of safety reflectors, and bike riding laws.

Child IDs

Child fingerprinting is usually done by our deputies during annual community events. Completed child fingerprint cards are given to the parent/guardian of the child and should be kept with the child's personal records. The sheriff's office does not retain these prints. Dates and times of community child identification events are typically advertised via social media or on our website. This service is provided to the public free of charge.

Virginia Rules

The Virginia Rules education program helps educate our county's youth on the laws of the Commonwealth. Deputies conduct classes at a 6th through 12th grade level and explain the laws of the state and penalties that our youth may face if they commit certain crimes.  A partial list of topics provided include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Introduction to Virginia Law: Classifications of felonies and misdemeanors
• Rights of parents and legal guardians: How well do Virginia teens know the law?
• Facts about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs Teen driving responsibility
• Dangers of internet surfing
• Crimes against persons
• Teen violence
• Gang violence
• Dating violence
• Attendance at school
• Bullying
• Crimes against property
• Making threats to school property or school personnel