Explorer program seeks camping gear donations


The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Explorer Program is seeking the following items that can be donated to the Thousand Oaks Police Charitable Foundation.

Donated sleeping bags or tents for use in the Explorer camping program can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays through May 25 at the Thousand Oaks Police Station, 2101 E. Olsen Road.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will be taking 120 Police Explorers on a three-day educational camping trip to Camp Three Falls in the Lockwood Valley. The trip is being planned in partnership with the Ventura County Chapter of the Boy Scouts.

The Explorer Program is seeking donations of new, mild-climate sleeping bags (30F to 50F degree rating) or camping tents. The sleeping bags and tents will be used on the Camp Three Falls trip as well as future Explorer adventures.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has a long-term partnership with local youth to provide mentorship and learning opportunities through the Police Explorer program. All six patrol stations operate a Police Explorer Post.

The Explorer Program educates and involves youth in police operations and interests them in law enforcement functions whether they aspire to enter police work or not.

The goal of the Explorer Program is to develop future leaders.