The Holliston Police Department’s junior police academy was up and running again this summer, after a few years break due to COVID. 

The camp was created in 2014 with the goal of educating middle school-aged children on what it takes to be a police officer. Officers Michael Woods and Brian DiGiorgio run the camp. 

This summer, the August session of the camp ran Aug. 8-12, and 18 middle schoolers attended. 

DiGiorgio said the program is free as the funding is from the Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation, a foundation that provides funding for nonprofits. 

He explained the schedule for the week. The kids arrive at the station at 9 a.m. every morning and leave at 3 p.m. 

DiGiorgio said on day one, the kids toured the station and were grouped into four squads to make up one platoon. 

He said the remainder of the program was run at the Holliston High School, where they had access to High Elements Courses and a ropes course the kids trained on. 

DiGiorgio added there were guest speakers, noting that on Tuesday the State Police Air Wing came in and demonstrated how to fly a helicopter, which excited the kids. 

Additionally, on Thursday, the kids ventured to Boston Harbor for a field trip to see how the State Police Marine Unit operates. 

At the end of the week, the group graduated from the academy. 

The July session saw a little K9 action as well. 

“Special thanks to Holliston’s very own K-9 Mattis and his partner Sergeant Hagan for the great demonstration yesterday afternoon. The recruits learned about how much we depend on our Police K-9’s and the important role they play in keeping our communities safe,” according to the Holliston Police Department Facebook page.

“It’s a good week. It’s all positive,” DiGiorgio said.