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| 4-H campers join police officers Christopher Bianez and Lindy Privett in some “Kung Fu Fighting” after a presentation on making the right choices at 4-H Camp June 1. (Photo by Mary Ann Van Osdell. Click on photo for downloadable image.) |
News Release Distributed 06/04/10
POLLOCK, La. – High flying excitement with a knockout message awaits fourth- through sixth-graders at the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Camp Grant Walker this summer.
Every Tuesday during the nine-week summer camp season, two Plano, Texas, police officers will provide a special program to campers who will be attending from all 64 Louisiana parishes. The officers’ presentation will include being buddies, not bullies; choices and consequences; cornerstones of character and stranger danger.
Approximately 5,000 youth will hear from Christopher Bianez and Lindy Privett, who use a trampoline and martial arts as they present their 45-minute message. Privett’s presentation includes a row of weapons, including the bo and nunchaku.
The program fee is underwritten by a grant by EnCana Oil and Gas (USA) Inc., said Eric Eskew, executive director of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.
The officers have more than three decades of police experience, personal knowledge and specialized training. As Drug Abuse Resistance Education instructors, they have taught hundreds of anti-drug and anti-violence lessons at schools, but this is the first time they have come to a summer camp.
They encourage young people to stay safe, avoid the negative and destructive consequences of drug abuse and violence, and choose positive activities, Eskew said.
The three messages are to do the right thing, choose friends carefully and be drug free, Bianez said. “Many choices will be between right and wrong and will determine to a large extent our happiness and unhappiness,” he said. “Set your foot on the right path.”
“As police officers, we have had contact with people who make bad choices,” Privett said. He asked the youth to ask themselves before acting inappropriately if their behavior could hurt anyone, whether it is fair, if they would do it with their family watching and if they have ever been told it was wrong.
“Right is right, no matter how many people are against it,” Privett said. “Wrong is wrong, no matter how many people are for it.”
Bianez shared his personal rule about friends, saying they can influence how you think and act and determine the person you’ll become.
“True friends never desire, expect or encourage you to do something dangerous or get you in trouble. True friends will keep you out of harmful situations,” Bianez said, listing cheating, stealing, beating up someone and damaging property as examples of bad behavior.
Bianez said to have a great friend, you need to be a great friend. Befriend those who are shy or may not feel included, he said.
Privett told the youth to never let anyone pressure them into using drugs. “Never let anyone lead you to believe that drugs will make you happy.”
Before the presentation on June 2, some children took to the floor for “Dancing with a Police Officer” to such popular artists as Taylor Swift, Train and Vanilla Ice. Other music included “Let’s Get It Started” and “Ready to Rumble.” After the officers’ presentation, a few youth did some moves to “Kung Fu Fighting.”
“This is great because they are sending out a good message that makes it interesting to the kids,” said Molly Usrey, an LSU AgCenter agent.
“Each of the men did an outstanding performance using their talents of gymnastics and martial arts of presenting a powerful message to the young people,” added Carol Remy, LSU AgCenter agent in Union Parish.
Peyton Burford, 12, of DeSoto Parish, said he liked “how the dude flips and the martial arts with swords. I learned to be drug-free and choose the right friends.”
West Carroll Parish camper Lexie Sistrunk, 11, said she learned to be safe and to make good choices.
Mason Barnes, 10, of DeSoto Parish, said he will make the right choice about drugs and not play with weapons. “I will choose the right friends,” he said.
“The 4-H Camp program is one of many ways companies can help Louisiana 4-H,” Eskew said. “We are very appreciative of EnCana acknowledging that support for our Louisiana 4-H Camp ultimately benefits the future of our state.”
4-H Camp, an educational program of the LSU AgCenter, strives to develop a variety of life skills related to head, heart, hands and health at one-week summer camp sessions.
Individuals or businesses interested in making a difference for 4-H youth can contact the Louisiana 4-H Foundation at 225-578-1172 or on the Web at www.la4hfoundation.org.
Mary Ann Van Osdell