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MAKANDA, Ill. -- A program designed to teach children lifelong skills is coming up in southern Illinois this summer.

This community supported program is called the Team Illinois Youth Police Camp. 

This program focuses on things like how to interview for a job, military drills, team building exercises, police and military procedures, ways to give back to the community and more.

Carbondale's Police Chief Stan Reno tells us this is a great opportunity to help educate our youth and teach them life-long skills.

"It really gives an opportunity for our law enforcement officers to build relationships with the teens," Reno said. "To give them confidence in themselves, to give them the tools they need to succeed in life and maybe we get an opportunity to recruit them into a law enforcement career. But, more importantly, give them the nurturing, the respect, and again, the support they need to be successful beyond the camp."

Numerous agencies will be on hand to help assist with the weeklong activities. This includes members from Herrin Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police, Carbondale Police Department and SIU Police Department.

"We've tried to bring in as many resources as we can because we want to make sure we are outreaching to everybody in the region," Reno added.

In addition to team building exercises, the program helps address personal matters such as cyber bullying, teen relationships and other areas which impact teens.

"There are programs for just about every aspect of issues that a teen could potentially face, drug identification and everything; the gamut." Illinois State Police Master Sergeant Joey Watson stated. "We recruited last year teens all the way from Centralia down to Cairo and river to river. So, we're looking to increase our footprint this year. Last year, we had 22 that applied, 21 that graduated. This year, we are looking to seat 40 to 45 students."

Watson stated the partnership between the various agencies and the SIU Touch of Nature Education Center, allows opportunities for program growth and long term success.

"That's really the goal. We're not looking just for this year and next year, we are looking long term," Watson noted.

Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center Director Brian Croft said this program utilizes the outdoors to help with the teaching environment and shapes these teenagers with lessons they will take into adulthood.

"It teaches independence. It teaches how you operate both as an individual and as a teen," Croft said. "It's kind of using that outdoor space. It's fun to watch them get up and make their beds and then do fun activities; go to the dining hall, clean up the tables and help the cooks do the dishes and do those kind of things. It really teaches our cadets how to adult."

Watson says one of the components which makes this program successful is how the agencies make lasting connections with the cadets in years after the camp.

"There's an opportunity for mentorship that has gone well beyond," Watson said. "Last Wednesday night, I attended a Du Quoin soccer game because one of the participants was playing out of the Carbondale area. We've got a connection with the kids that goes well beyond the camp."

Additionally, Reno said they are seeing positive development with participants for years after attending camp as well.

"As we continue to be a part of their lives, and the camp counselors be a part of their lives, they really get to see them grow and develop," Reno stated. "I personally have attended events where the cadets have come back and still they are interacting and are engaged with our officers who participated in the camp. It's so important to have that relationship and to know they have peer support out there and to know if they need something they have someone to call or text and communicate with."

The Team Illinois Youth Police Camp will take place from June 9th - 15th at in Makanda.

is open for a cost of $25 per applicant.