Over the course of three days, from July 8-10, Bashaw RCMP hosted a Youth Academy for students going into Grades 10, 11 and 12. 

This was an opportunity for the Youth in our community to find out what the RCMP is all about.  For our first year we were pleased to enroll 13 students in the program that was held at Bashaw School.

The event was modelled after the Olds and Three Hills Detachments who ran similar Academies previously. The students were fortunate to have many different officers that gave informative and inspirational presentations about what their role in the RCMP entails. 

The students were exposed to a vast array of vital careers in the RCMP in both a classroom setting as well as participating in demonstrations. Students were able to see many different areas of the RCMP from Drone Services, Police Dog Services, General Duty and many more. 

In total there were 13 officers from various units that attended and contributed to the program's success this year. 

This was a wonderful opportunity to build relationships with the students as well as give them a global perspective of what a career in the RCMP could look like. 

Students participated in hands-on scenarios, fitness training, a detachment tour and dusting for fingerprints with forensics to name a few things. 

Inter Pipelines sponsored this year's event and allowed the organizers to have meals delivered as well as snacks and drinks for each day.  Each participant received a Bashaw RCMP Youth Academy T-shirt, a police notebook, 3 high school credits and a lifetime of memories and experiences.  

The feedback from the participants was overwhelming with positive things to say.  The students enjoyed all the hands-on learning and the discovery about all the different avenues that can be taken when working for the RCMP in Canada.  

Students commented that they would recommend this program to their friends and enjoyed their time with the members that attended.