CLEWISTON - Clewiston High School (CHS) students joined their instructor, Kristine Petersen, for the first ever CHS Crime Camp last weekend. From learning about fingerprinting, and watching "The Green Mile," to acting out mock trials, and filling out incident reports, their weekend was filled with interesting lessons and activities all centered on Public Safety.

“Blessed beyond measure --  out under the stars camping out with the students. The breeze is blowing, had a great Nacho dinner and getting ready to watch The Green Mile. CHS CRIME CAMP 2021,” Petersen described the first night of Crime Camp. 

Kristine Petersen teaches Criminal Justice at Clewiston High School. She is an advisor for Florida Public Safety Association, and earned her education from the Southwest Florida Public Safety Academy and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Chief Executive Institute. She organized the camp, and gathered the Clewiston Fire Department, local volunteers, and the Clewiston Police Explorers to help over the weekend. 

The students learned a lot about law enforcement and public safety during the camp, and they had fun doing it.

“Ms. Petersen is an inspiration,” said one of the students that attended camp. “She teaches us so much, and I look forward to a career in criminal justice, thanks to her. She always knows how to make it fun and keep us interested.” 

They even played a glow-in-the-dark kickball game. 

“Having some fun in between the hard stuff was great. It gave us a chance to take a break and process what we learned,” said another camper. 

The students were  grateful for the experience. Several commented that they couldnt wait for the next camp.