Team IL Youth Camp

The Team Illinois Youth Police Camps (TIYPCs) are highly structured week-long residency camps held in Elsah, Romeoville, and Carbondale each year. The camps are based upon a military model and are geared for teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17. Attendees, or Cadets, learn military drills such as formations and marching, and participate in physical fitness exercises. Cadets also attend classroom instruction on leadership development, substance abuse resistance, team building principles, and other life enhancing skills. TIYPCs promote positive rapport and interactions between law enforcement and the attendees. Graduates of the youth camps have experienced great success, and many have credited their camp experiences as pivotal points in reaching their future goals.

The first TIYPC originated in 2006 in the Metro East and was held in Granite City. In 2009, the location of the camp was moved to Alton, and then in 2013 it was moved to its current location, Principia College in Elsah. Since its inception, 879 cadets have graduated from the Metro East TIYPC.

After many years of successful participation from teens across the state who attended the Metro East TIYPC, there was a desire to expand the program to help youth in other areas of the state succeed. ISP started a second camp for teenagers in the northern portion of the state. The Northern TIYPC was originally held at Olivet Nazarene University, but Lewis University in Romeoville is the camp’s current home.

In 2023, ISP, in partnership with the Carbondale Police Department, established the Southern TIYPC located at Southern Illinois University, building on the success of the other camps and providing a safe, structured environment where teens develop positive self-esteem and leadership skills.

The Northern and Southern TIYPCs are held in June and July. TIYPCs are made possible through public and private donations, and partnerships with local law enforcement, civic organizations, state agencies, and the Illinois National Guard. The cost to attend the camp is dependent on location of attendance.

Goals:

To provide an opportunity for area youth and Law Enforcement Officers to form long lasting positive relationships by creating a bridge of understanding between both groups.
To provide a safe, structured environment that creates opportunity for encouraging positive behavior, leadership skills, positive self-esteem, and the skills for youth to resist violence, gangs, drugs and other societal pressures.
To positively change the lives of area youth through our dedication and desire to motivate them to succeed.

The philosophy of “Teamwork, Commitment and Pride” is introduced to the Cadets through activities that promote teamwork, goal setting, and esprit de corp. Upon completion of the camp, Cadets participate in a formal graduation ceremony and are provided with a certificate of completion and individual and group photos.

Camp Schedule includes:

Teen Suicide Awareness
Alcohol, Opiate and other Drug Addiction
Personal Hygiene, Dental Care, and Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Dangers of Social Media
First Aid and Hands Only CPR
Bullying and Cyber Bullying
Boys and Girls Scouts of America
Flag Etiquette w/ the Illinois National Guard
Teambuilding with the Illinois National Guard to include the Rock Climbing Wall, Ropes Confidence Course as well as other related exercises.
Safety Days- local police department, fire department, rollover simulator, golf cart with DUI Goggles and texting while driving, K-9 Demonstration, ISP Motorcycles, and the Air Methods Medical Transport Helicopter
Daily uniform and room inspections
Fishing and Bowling

For additional information about the camp, please contact:

Northern (at Lewis University) – Tpr. Duane Chappell, (630) 417-5892, Duane.Chappell@illinois.gov
Central – Tpr. David Jacobs, (312) 208-6066, David.Jacobs@illinois.gov
Southern (at Principia College, Elsah, IL) – Sgt. Maurice Austin, (618) 301-7218, Maurice.Austin@illinois.gov
Southern (Touch of Nature at Makanda, IL) –