The DeKalb Park District is hosting summer camp to help troubled youths get their lives back on the right track.

The summer boot camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 9 to August 15. The camp is intended to help boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 17 who have entered the juvenile justice system and are at risk of being incarcerated.

The program was proposed by Judge Kurt Klein and was approved by the DeKalb Park District Board of Commissioners on March 13.

“Kids who are convicted of crimes are assigned to the program by Judge Klein as a last chance before they go to jail,” said Executive Director of the DeKalb Park District Dave Emanuelson. “If they don’t attend the program, they will go to jail.”

The campers will consist of DeKalb County residents, about 60 percent of whom are from the city of DeKalb.

During an average day, the camp will be supervised by three off-duty police officers and two student interns from the NIU department of sociology or other related fields.

“We want to create a pool of 10 off-duty police officers to be camp counselors,” Emanuelson said.

The initial host site for the summer boot camp will be Katz Park on Dresser Road; however, other parks will be used based on where the community service projects and recreational activities are located. Lions, McCormick and Hopkins parks also will be used.

The program consists of many activities involving community service, recreation and education. The campers will perform community service projects in an attempt to repay the community for some of the costs their criminal activities have created.

Community service activities included are cleaning the banks and shallow areas along the Kishwaukee River, planting trees or improving the wildlife habitat at forest preserves and parks around DeKalb. These service activities will be performed in the mornings every day of the week.

Recreational activities will be held on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and will include activities such as swimming, boating, hiking, athletics, crafts and games. Field trips will be held on Fridays and are determined by the conduct of the campers throughout the week and the level of trust they create with the counselors. Possible field trips are fishing trips to Shabbona Lake State Park, boating trips on the Rock River, major league baseball games or plays and musicals. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the youths will participate in educational classes provided by the Camelot Special Education School.

Transportation to and from the parks will be provided by the Volunteer Action Center (VAC). The campers will be picked up and dropped off by the buses at their homes every day. The VAC will provide transportation between venues for activities and on field trips, also.

The DeKalb Park District expects about 15 campers this year, but more participants are expected to become involved in the years to come.

For information on this and other summer programs, call the DeKalb Park District at 758-6663.