Tuesday, May 8, 2007

TROOP Program

TROOP is featured on the TPS website:


NOTE:  This program is offered to youth BY INVITATION ONLY
through a partnering youth agency. Youth must be accompanied
by a qualified youth worker associated to a youth agency
within Toronto. Youth can not sign up for this program directly.

For two months every summer, Toronto Police officers trade
guns for paddles, bullet-proof vests for P.F.D.s, boots for
sandals, striped pants for shorts and scout cars for canoes.
The Toronto Recreational Outtripping Outreach Program (TROOP)
celebrates it's 10th year in 2011. The program evolved as the
result of a unique partnership forged between the Toronto
Police Service, Toronto Parks Forestry and Recreation, and
ProAction Cops and Kids. Youth from across Toronto join police
officers and youth workers to take part in a free, outdoor,
experiential learning opportunity that lasts 5 days and
includes canoeing, hiking and camping.

Every summer, TROOP takes over 200 people on canoe trips to
the wilderness of Northern Ontario. Youth participants are
between the ages of 13 to 19. The program gives youth and
police officers an opportunity to learn a little more about
each other while experiencing an environment that many of
them have never seen before.

Youth attend “free of charge” due to the generosity of a
not-for-profit organization called ProAction Cops & Kids.
ProAction funds numerous programs involving police officers
and youth. TROOP participants are provided all necessary
equipment including food, transportation and camping gear
while attending on trips. TROOP is coordinated through the
Toronto Police Service Community Mobilization Unit at
Headquarters. The City of Toronto, Parks Forestry and
Recreation provides assistance through their Inner City
Outtripping Centre based out of Sunnyside Park. If you are
an agency worker or affiliated with youth through a school,
agency or other community organization, and you would like
more information about this program, contact Police Constable
Vince Langdon @ vince.langdon@torontopolice.on.ca or by
calling 416-808-7034.