By Craig Anderson

MIDDLETOWN — A week of early-morning activity for teens this summer could pay off with life skills for years ahead.

That was the goal for kids who attended the 12th annual Middletown Youth Academy hosted by town police last week.

For rising Louis L. Redding Middle School eighth grader Karl Owens, the sessions were about “learning leadership, learning new skills and gaining integrity.”

The 13-year-old also said the academy focused on “building muscle and getting stronger, building relationships with new people and just trying to be a better person in general.”

Cpl. Steven West was one of the officers overseeing the camp, presented to 24 participants, mostly 13 to 16 years old. They came mainly from the Appoquinimink School District, with Antonio Thornton, a staff member for the Restorative Schools Program, assisting in identifying candidates.

The corporal described the free program as “more of a leadership academy than a police academy. We want them not to be followers but try to instill leadership skills.”

There’s an emphasis on career exploration, he added, and organizers aim to get “them thinking outside the box when it comes to possible opportunities ahead, if their first visions don’t pan out.”

“Everybody wants to play in the NBA, but if that doesn’t work out, then we want them to have a plan B and plan C,” he said. “So, that’s why we just try to bring people in from other professions and give them a little idea of what’s out there.”

The session from July 29 to Aug. 2 included males only, with females taking part this week. Days ran from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and began at Redding Middle.

Among other activities, participants traveled to Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington and met an inmate who shared experiences.

During last week’s session, academy members also performed service for the MOT Jean Birch Senior Center and Warriors Helping Warriors.

Additionally, they heard from mental health and drug/alcohol counselors, along with professionals who spoke about their careers. Physical activity and emergency responder drills were part of the plan, too.

Officers from the New Castle County Police Department, Delaware Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control participated, as well.

Factor it all in, and academy director Master Sgt. Scott Saunders said the week was time well spent for the young participants, adding, “The mission is to engage young persons and to instill in them the confidence, values and work ethic that will help them to succeed.”