Camp Journey
What is Camp Journey?
It’s An Adventure for Rising 6th Graders!
Get ready for an unforgettable summer experience! Camp Journey is a FREE 4-day summer day camp designed just for rising 6th graders, created to make the leap into middle school exciting, fun, and confidence-building.
Camp Journey combines hands-on learning, leadership, and adventure with a behind-the-scenes look at local law enforcement. Camp Journey is held at various locations each summer.
The camp will be held from 8:00AM-3:00PM, Monday – Thursday. It will be staffed daily with COMPACT team members. School resource officers, and other local law enforcement officers. Some topics covered will be: Crisis Negotiation, Vape Education, Gun Safety, Team Building, Etiquette, Bullying, Social Media, Crime Scene, Special Guest Speakers, Tactical Response Unit, Wildlife Trailer, and UAV/UAS (drone) and 911 information. Please note that some topics may be adjusted due to speaker availability. The Camp is free of charge, and the only requirement is that the child be dropped off and picked up ON TIME EACH DAY. Camps are typically limited to 50 campers per location.
At Camp Journey, students will:
- Meet and connect with middle school administrators and teachers.
- Receive locker-opening practice (and master those tricky combinations!)
- Build skills in leadership, discipline, courage and teamwork through structured interactive challenges.
- Explore integrity and character education through engaging, real-world guest speakers and lessons.
- Gain tools to navigate challenges during adolescence with confidence.
- Experience a Junior Police/Sheriff’s Academy, exploring the roles of School Resource and Law Enforcement Officers.
- Build meaningful connections with officers and peers, creating lasting relationships that support growth in school and beyond.
But most of all—kids will make new friends, gain confidence, and discover their own leadership potential before even stepping into middle school.
Camp Journey isn’t just a camp—it’s the start of an incredible middle school adventure!
How to Apply for Camp Journey
If you would like to apply for your child to attend camp journey, please complete the online application on the link below. If you have any additional questions before applying, feel free to contact our Community Resource Coordinator at 205-605-1829.
To be eligible, campers must meet the following criteria:
- Student is entering 6th grade in the upcoming school year.
- Student resides in Shelby County, Hoover, or Vestavia Hills OR student attends school in Shelby County, Hoover, or Vestavia Hills (including private school and home school).
- Student has transportation to and from camp each day. The student must be dropped off between 7:30AM and 8:00AM each morning, and picked up at 3:00PM each day.
- Student must bring their own water bottle and lunch each day (some schools may provide meals but this is not a guarantee. You will be notified ahead of time if lunch is available).
- Parents and/or guardians must complete the waiver of liability form and submit it with the application or deliver on the first day of camp when the student is dropped off.
Camp Journey Dates and Locations
For a list of Camp Journey dates and locations, visit the tabs for each city below. If you see dates and locations for the previous summer, dates and locations for the upcoming summer camps will be published by February of each year (i.e. February 2026 for Summer 2026).
APPLICATION DEADLINE: MAY 1st OR UNTIL CAMP IS FULL
Click here to Apply for Camp Journey: https://forms.gle/SgqVeabp71hmmoMB7
