SIOUX CITY, IA -
Exciting and educational, that's the combo local high school kids are getting at Sioux City Police Youth Academy.
Driving one of the patrol cars is not as easy as it looks, but students in the program got the opportunity to drive them as many times as they wanted to, that way they could get a feel for what it's like to be a police officer.
The defensive driving course was just one of the many things students get to do during their four weeks at the Police Youth Academy.
"It is intense, and the kids get an opportunity to see exactly what a car will do, and how hard they can push it," said Sioux City Officer Mark Huberty.
The goal is to keep the car under control, it simulates everything a cop goes through during a high-speed chase.
"It's an adrenaline rush, when you're in there, and you got the computer, you got the radio, the sirens. Its fun, I like it," said Bishop Heelan junior Keaton Slaughter.
And campers say the Academy's name doesn't do it justice.
"Don't judge it by it's name, people think it's kind of kiddish and for younger kids. I'm 16. You get to hang out with cool cops, you get to know them, drive the cars, meet the dogs, all that... the skid car," he said.
And the skid car is exactly what you think it is.
"It's on hydraulics, which allows the car to be lifted off the ground," said Officer Huberty.
Campers also get to pull each other over, and simulate different types of traffic stops and situations. The academy is a four week program, where students meet for fours hours, once a week, through the month of June.
Although this program is almost over, there is always next year. If you are interested in signing your child up you can call Rita Donnelly for more information: (712)279-6424
There is no fee for students to participate. Applications are available through the School Resource Officers or Guidance Office at all four of the Sioux City High Schools.
