A sunny day for Sunny Day Camp

Posted by Rich Schwartzman on October 1, 2023

Arianna Aston gets to operate a firehose with help from Concordville Fire Co. President Lee Weersing.

The weather cooperated for Troop K of the Pennsylvania State Police. After days of clouds and rain, the sun broke through and shined on the annual Sunny Day Camp held at the Brandywine Youth Club in Concord Township.

Sunny Day Camp is a chance for special needs kids and adults to get acquainted with police and other first responders. That’s the reason Sunny Day Camp came to exist.

Meet some of the larger members, very large members, of the state police.

“The program got started in 2016 by now Sgt. Samantha Minucci [of Troop J, Avondale barracks],” said Troop K’s Tpr. Jessica Tobin. “She wanted to ensure that no one was left out of learning about the law enforcement agencies that serve their community…Unfortunately, special needs individuals get left out of learning. They get the opportunity for first-hand education, interactive experience, and an overall positive experience with the Pennsylvania State Police

The point of Sunny Day Camp is simply to give that segment of society some up-close exposure to law enforcement agencies in a safe and family-friendly environment. And according to some of the families at Sunday’s Sunny Day Camp in Concord, the program works.

Dave Aston and his family came down from Lafayette Hills in Montgomery County. His daughter, Arianna, has both autism and Down syndrome.

What does Sunny Day Camp mean for that family?

“It means a ton,” Dave Aston said shortly after his daughter was able to use a fire hose. “We’re trying to teach her that police are here to help.”

It was also an opportunity for Joanne Bannister’s son to, as she put it, “have an opportunity to learn, learn to be comfortable with safety and to talk with police.”

One youngster checks out a state police helicopter, one of the choppers involved in the Danelo Cavalcante manhunt.

The kids and adults had the chance to get up close and comfortable around mounted police, see the canines, a helicopter, some tactical gear, and simply mingle with uniformed police and other first responders. There were also games and lunch inside the BYC.

Delaware County Council Chairman Monica Taylor was on hand, too.

“What an incredible event,” Taylor said during the opening remarks. “It’s vital to strengthen the relationships and build trust between members of law enforcement and our residents. And there may be an added layer to build trust with members of our community with disabilities, especially with our children. It takes understanding, acceptance, patience, and compassion.”

She added that each member of law enforcement and other first responders who attended, “demonstrate each of those qualities. On behalf of Delaware County Council, I want to commend and thank you… It’s important to develop trust with police officers, firefighters, and other first responders.”

Tpr. Jessica Tobin, with scores of other troopers, firefighters, and other first responders, addresses visitors to Sunny Day Camp.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.