Dan C introduced Cst. John Fernhout who has been with the Camrose Police Service for 15 years.
As the D.A.R.E. initiative has aged, Cst. Fernhout took it upon himself to create a new program, aimed at kids in Grades 3, 6 and 9.
This program focuses on modern day issues that challenge kids such as cyberbullying, sexting, self-respect and social media awareness.
The program is called C.O.R.E. and has been embraced by Battle River and Elk Island school districts.
- C – Caring for their body, mind, and spirit to better serve others
- O – Online safety, integrity and responsibility
- R – Relationship with self and others based on respect and trust
- E – Establishing healthy boundaries or healthy decision making
Children are taught that they need to take care of their body (health), their mind, and their spirit (ethics, conscience, and beliefs). The CORE is where the three intersect, and you have to have a healthy CORE in order to be able to help others, including family, friends, the community and the world. They are taught that it is NOT about themselves, but about what they can do.
The children participate in community projects, and after a successful project are usually awarded with a pizza party and/or tee shirts or other prizes. Some of the projects have been:
- a bottle drive for charity.
- a letter writing campaign to thank people and businesses for all their work during COVID.
- Cards and letters to seniors and first responders.
The program has been extremely well received by students, staff and the school boards.
Cst. Fernhout answered many questions from the group.
Odell then presented Cst. Fernhout with a certificate confirming that ten children have been vaccinated against Polio in thanks for his presentation today.