HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania teens with an eye on law enforcement or military service will soon get a rare, boots-on-the-ground look at life in uniform.
The Pennsylvania State Police, working alongside the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Pennsylvania American Legion, has opened applications for its annual Elmer Hafer–American Legion–State Police–National Guard Youth Camp, a six-day immersive program set for June 7 through June 13, 2026, at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg.
The camp is open to students ages 15 to 17 and is designed to test participants physically, mentally and ethically while introducing them to the demands and responsibilities of public service careers.
“This program aims to cultivate leadership, discipline, self-esteem, and confidence while equipping cadets morally, intellectually, and physically for leadership responsibilities,” Acting State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. George L. Bivens said. He described the experience as one that pushes cadets to recognize their potential and leave with practical skills, lasting connections and a sense of pride in service.
Cadets will participate in an intensive schedule that includes police scenario training, physical fitness, drill and ceremony, forensics, traffic and criminal law instruction, water survival, marksmanship and structured team-building exercises. The curriculum is designed to mirror real-world demands faced by law enforcement officers and service members.
As part of the program, participants will visit the State Police Academy in Hershey and the Fort Indiantown Gap National Guard Training Center in Lebanon County, offering an inside look at professional training environments.
Major General John R. Pippy, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said the camp gives families and students a practical way to explore service-oriented futures.
“Deciding to serve the commonwealth or our country is a big step for young people and their families,” Pippy said. “Programs like this let teens explore that calling up close and see what a future with the PSP or the PANG might hold.”
The camp is staffed by personnel from the State Police, the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the American Legion. At the program’s conclusion, three cadets will be awarded $1,000 scholarships in recognition of their performance and leadership.
Participants must be physically fit, in good health and maintain a strong academic record. Because cadets are sponsored by local American Legion posts, there is no cost to attend.
Applications and additional details are available through the American Legion at pa-legion.com.
The State Police also operate regional Camp Cadet programs for younger students ages 11 to 15. Information about those programs is available through local Troop Community Services Officers at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/psp/contact-psp/csos-pios.
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