Algonquin youth spent a working week playing, cooperating, and learning with OPP Officers during the Stonewalker Program. An OPP youth leadership initiative, the Stonewalker program was designed to develop youth leaders, encourage police-youth partnerships, and present career opportunities available in policing.

With an emphasis on youth leadership, enchancing police-youth relationships, providing problem solving skills, helping youth identify their community issues and strategies, and integrating traditional and cultural awareness, the program aimed for a fun, challenging, and interactive week for almost 30 Algonquin youth.

DAY 1: The youth were divided into teams each lead by an OPP Constable. They began their five day experience with a cooperative exercise in erecting a full size military a-frame tent in a friendly competition with the other teams. CFB Borden provided the tents, chairs, tables, and a host of other items for the youth. Sgt. Barry Borton put up first tent as an example. The White Team easily won the tent competition. The teams then learned some problem solving skills and began 'Solve-a-Crime' activities.

DAY 2: Began with a visit to the Killaloe OPP Detachment. The teams spent the afternoon participating in friendly canoe races on Golden Lake. There was a lot of canoe tipping and wet constables and youth. Following the races the youth made cultural presentations to the police, followed by further problem solving and 'Solve-a-Crime' activities.

DAY 3: Began early with a 6 am bus pick up and breakfast at McDonald's. The teams travelled to Ottawa to visit the Rockcliffe Flying Club and the Aviation Museum. The youth had the opportunity to fly in a single engine aircraft and many even had the opportunity to asssit the pilot with flying the plane.

DAY 4: Was a busy day filled with OPP displays. Mobile OPP units including the Emergency Response Team, Canine Team, Marine Unit, and the Tactics and Rescue Units. In additions forensic teams were on hand to display their skills. The youth enjoyed presentations on fingerprinting and foot print casting. Ace from the K9 unit was a big hit. The youth had fun dressing up in a variety of OPP uniforms.

ERT: The Emergency Response Team (1992) includes 150 teams in six regions specially trained in Search and Rescue, physical evidence seraches, crowd management, riots, strikes, demonstrations, VIP security, and hostage taking.
TRU: The Tactics and Rescue Units are dedicated to the safe resolution of high risk incidents. The teams deal with serious threats to peace and order.
K9: The Canine Unit (1965) includes 27 teams of one dog and one handler. The K9 units provies support for search and rescue operations, tracking wanted person, detecting narcotics, explosive, cadavers, and physical evidence. The dogs must complete 16 weeks of training through the OPP Academy Canine Training Centre. There are also speciality canine teams. There are 6 teams trained to detect explosives, 6 teams trained to detect human remains, and 2 teams trained to locate persons buried as a result of a disaster.
Marine: The OPP Marine Units respond to marine disasters and assist with evidence and cadaver searches. They also have specially trained underwater scuba diving teams.
EDU: The Explosives Disposal Unit has team members specially trained in explosive disposal. To assit the teams is a robot mobile invesitigator (RMI), a robot capable of safely handling explosive materials.

DAY 5: Culminated with youth presentations to the group and community members about community issues requiring attention. The youth began with a list of 7 concerns and when asked to choose the most important, named the following youth concens. Youth want a voice in the community and want to be heard and listened to. They would like to communicate with police about community events and activities, and share information, swap newsletters, and get more involved with the OPP. Following the presentations, certificates were awarded to the youth and the OPP for their tireless and generous time and attention. Leanne Kohoko said, "I thought it was going to be boring at first. I thought there would be lots of lectures, but we did lots of cool things. We set up military tents and I even got to fly a plane."

At right is a photo of some of the members of the OPP team that made the Stonewalkers program possible for Algonquin youth. Our thanks and appreciation go out to the entire team which includes: Team Leader Rajender Sud, Constables Hans Schirmer, Liz Van Massenhoven, Jason Swrjeski, Dan Brooks, and Darcy Nicol, Sergeant Kristine Rae, and students Mike Recoskie, Natalie Strange and Katy Garner, Inspector Garry MacPherson, and Photographer Ray Kolly. A special thanks goes out to Bret Lingley of the OPP K9 Unit and his dog Ace, and Chief Mike Ott of the Algonquin Fire and Resuce Department. Apologies are made to any OPP member or related member not included in this list. In addition thanks go out to OPP Killaloe Staff Sergeant Dwayne Sears, CFB Borden and Sergeant Barry Borton for their assistance. Below is a photograph of the OPP team, Algonquin youth and their community support team. The program was a great hit and next year we hope to do it all again. Much thanks go out to all Algonquin staff, students, and volunteers that provided support, great food, assistance, certificates, supervison, and funding for the Stonewalker program. Special thanks goes to Peggy Dick, Rhonda Amikons, Rhonda Halliday, Sandi Wright, Jim Meness, Kerry Andrews, Irving Sarazin, Heather Sole, and Peter Beaucage. The list is extensive but all those involved deserve great thanks and appreciation.

To place information or photos regarding community Youth Activities on the website please contact: pikmedia@sympatico.ca

To view each heading click on the graphics provided on the top of the page. If you get lost, click on Home in the top right hand corner of your screen to return to the main page.