Watertown Cadets Graduate from Middlesex Sheriff's Youth Academy

WATERTOWN, MA – The Middlesex Sheriff's Office Friday recognized 104 graduates of its 17th Youth Academy, including cadets from Watertown.

Watertown youths were joined by children from Cambridge, Framingham and Natick, who spent four days learning from members of the Middlesex Sheriff's Office and local police and fire departments.

"For 17 years YPSA has brought together local youngsters and members of the public safety community," Middlesex Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian said in a press release. "YPSA is an incredible opportunity to instill life lessons, provide critical public safety tools to some of our youngest residents, and allow children and public safety professionals to spend time getting to know one another. That is why I am so incredibly proud of this program."

The cadets participate in several training exercises throughout the week, including fire hazard courses in the Middlesex Sheriff's fire safety trailer; team building exercises at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Billerica; K9 demonstrations; and visits with local police and fire officials.

The camp is open to children ages 9 to 11 and consists of six one-week sessions; the office graduates hundreds of youth cadets each year.

Photos submitted by the Middlesex Sheriff's Office