Staff Report

ROCKFORD – The Rockford Police Department is offering a variety of free programs to help keep local kids busy and safe this summer.

The Community Kids Zone are June 10–14 and June 24–July 12. Both are from 4 to 9 p.m. at East High School, 2929 Charles St. Kids will enjoy basketball, volleyball, cooking classes, crafts, games, and take field trips.

There are two age groups for the Community Kids Zone: 9-12, and 13-17. The younger group will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays with field trips on Friday, June 14 and Wednesday July 3. The older group will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays with field trips on Friday, June 28 and July 12. Food will be provided.

To encourage kids to explore careers in law enforcement, officers will offer three Youth Police Academies: July 29-Aug. 2 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural St.; Aug. 12-16 at Auburn High School, 5110 Auburn St.; and Aug. 19-23 at City First Church, 5950 Spring Creek Road. Boys and girls ages 13-17 will learn about what it takes to become a Rockford Police Officer and gain a better understanding of the job itself.

While the Rockford Police Department wants all kids to have fun this summer, officers also want
them to be safe. In conjunction with the Rockford Fire Department and Rockford Park District, the department will host Rockford Safety Camp for Kids for students entering grades 3-5.

The first camp is July 23-24, from 12:30 to 4 p.m., at Providence Baptist Church, 2209 Clifton Ave. The second will be 12:30-4 p.m., July 25-26, at City First Church. The camps will cover topics like bicycle, fire, water, and animal safety, as well as bullying. Snacks will be provided.

To sign up or learn more about each of these free programs, visit the Rockford Police website.