Essex County Summer Day Camp Celebrates 30 Years In Peabody

PEABODY, MA — The Essex County Summer Day Camp held at Higgins Middle School in Peabody is welcoming a record 500 students this summer through Aug. 2.

The Office of Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker sponsors the free camp for students across Essex County who are entering fifth grade. It includes presentations from local police departments, the State Police bomb squad, the Anti-Defamation League and local K-9 units.

The Peabody Fire Department, along with other local firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have volunteered, will lead a hands-on fire safety and emergency response presentation.

The camp also addresses social topics such as violence prevention, bullying and drug use, while including fun events such as a Rainforest Reptiles presentation, a Prismatic Magic laser light show, bowling, field day, trips to New England Aquarium and to the movies, ice cream sundaes and a group talent show.

Police officers from departments in Beverly, Danvers, Georgetown, Ipswich, Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Peabody, Gloucester, Salem, Saugus, and Swampscott will be involved in daily presentations and facilitating the fun.

"This has been an annual tradition in Essex County for 30 years now, and we are happy to have a full, fun lineup of activities for the kids this year," Tucker said. "This camp is possible thanks to donations from local businesses and the time and care of our many school, law enforcement, fire, and medical volunteers and partners.

"The commitment to the kids that we see from everyone involved is one of the things that makes Essex County a great place to live."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)