Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Troop L hosted their annual “Sunny Day Camp” at Camp Manatawny in Earl Township on Saturday, welcoming children and adults with special needs from Berks, Lebanon, and Schuylkill counties. The event offered participants a full day of interactive activities, providing an exciting opportunity to engage with law enforcement in a fun, hands-on environment.
Sunny Day Camp is an initiative that stems from the popular Camp Cadet program, traditionally designed for children aged 12 to 15. Trooper Rush Stehlin, who led the event, explained the significance of this new camp: “We noticed that, unfortunately, there is no program that exists for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities. Sunny Day Camp is a one-day event designed specifically for that demographic.”
The day was split into two parts. During the morning, attendees enjoyed a variety of static displays showcasing various PSP units and equipment. Trooper Stehlin emphasized the variety of law enforcement demonstrations: “We brought out our helicopter, our bomb squad, our patrol units. You name it, we had it here. We also had local partners like fire trucks, ambulances, multiple search and rescue operations, and even some military.”
Following a lunch break, the campers participated in an exciting ride-along portion of the day, where they were able to experience riding in a PSP cruiser, turning on lights and sirens, and even making mock arrests of volunteers.
When asked about the mission of Sunny Day Camp, Trooper Stehlin highlighted that it was not just about what the campers could gain, but also how officers benefit from the experience: “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to reach out to the people that we serve and make a connection. We’re hoping to bridge the gap and develop some understanding between us and the community, and hopefully build lasting relationships.”
The camp is part of a broader statewide effort, with Sunny Day Camps being held across Pennsylvania’s 16 state police troops. The program is supported by the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, local contributors, and the Camp Cadet board of directors, as well as the Special Olympics. The camp’s mission is to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants, free of charge.
The inspiration for Sunny Day Camp came in 2016 from Pennsylvania State Trooper Samantha Minnucci. Minnucci wanted to create a program where no one would be left out of learning about law enforcement. Her brother, Gabriel Minnucci, who was born with special needs, served as the motivation behind the initiative. Gabriel was in attendance at this year’s event, and in his honor, all participants wore t-shirts featuring a small “GM” next to the camp logo.
Trooper Stehlin reflected on the personal connection officers feel during events like this: “It just gives me the opportunity to give back to the community that I serve. The reason that I signed up for this job was not only to stop people that are doing things that they shouldn’t, but to help good people.”
Looking to the future, Trooper Stehlin mentioned that while the camp continues to grow, the focus remains on fostering meaningful connections. “As far as numbers go, bigger is not necessarily always better. We like to create a personal connection with the campers here,” he said. The camp is open to welcoming new participants each year, with registration taking place at sunnydaycamp.org.
