Do you have what it takes? Some area foster kids are being given some new life skills.
Allen County Children Services, The Lima Police Department, and the Police Athletic Activities League have collaborated together to provide the first ever wilderness survival program put on for children involved with children services.
The intent of the course is to impact the lives of children and provide them with an educational opportunity while developing self worth and self esteem.
The course also brings youth under the positive influence of law enforcement
"We wanted it to be about more than just survival so thats where even the title of the program "You Have What it Takes" because we also want to use it as an opportunity to reach out to the kids to help them understand that they are worth something, they mean something, they are valuable and they do have what it takes and if they can survive in a wilderness situation, they can survive in the everyday world and be successful"
If reached early enough, young people may begin to develop strong positive attitudes toward police officers in their journey through life toward a goal of maturity and good citizenship.
When students graduate from the program, they are given a mini survival kit.
The classes will be held the first four Thursdays in March for foster children ages 8 to 13.
