CHELMSFORD, Mass. — The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) is proud to celebrate the conclusion of the 25th Youth Public Safety Academy (YPSA), marking a quarter-century of educating and making memories with children from across Middlesex County.
Over the course of five one-week sessions this summer, the MSO welcomed 513 cadets, ages 8-12, along with Counselors-in-Training, ages 13-15, from 40 Middlesex County communities, plus Hanscom Air Force Base, to the MSO’s Training Academy in Chelmsford for an unforgettable summer. Through hands-on activities, team challenges, and interactive demonstrations, cadets learned about the importance of public safety, all while building leadership skills and making new friends.
Throughout the summer, cadets learned about various aspects of public safety, including law enforcement, fire safety, emergency preparedness, and first aid. While spending time alongside public safety personnel from their own communities, cadets gained firsthand insight into careers in police, fire, corrections, and emergency services.
YPSA welcomed a variety of community partners who introduced cadets to other topics through engaging, hands-on presentations. Participants learned about summer safety and hydration from the Lowell Health Department; gas and electrical safety from Eversource; bicycle and pedestrian safety from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; CPR and first aid from Armstrong Ambulance; pollination and farming from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society; and cybersecurity from the U.S. Secret Service.
This year’s first week also featured visits from the Massachusetts National Guard and the U.S. Army, the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing and Mounted Unit, and the Environmental Police.
“For 25 years, the Youth Public Safety Academy has given thousands of young people, from cadets, CITs, and counselors, the opportunity to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and form positive relationships with the public safety professionals who serve their own communities,” said Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian. “Watching this program continue to grow and seeing the energy and curiosity cadets bring each summer reminds me why this program and this work is so important.”
The academy’s success is made possible by a dedicated team of counselors, staff, community and public safety partners who work each day to create a safe, engaging and memorable experience for every cadet.
“Reaching 25 years is an incredible milestone, but what makes YPSA special is the people behind its mission,” said YPSA Director Meghan Lee. “Every counselor, partner, and instructor share the same goal of helping our cadets learn, laugh, and have an unforgettable time with us. Knowing we’ve been creating those moments for 25 summers is something we’re very proud of.”
This summer, cadets attended from the following Middlesex County communities: Acton, Arlington, Ashland, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica, Boxborough, Burlington, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Framingham, Groton, Hopkinton, Hudson, Lexington, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Maynard, Medford, Melrose, Natick, Newton, Pepperell, Sherborn, Stoneham, Sudbury, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Westford, Weston, Wilmington, Winchester, and Woburn.
To learn more about the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office or the Youth Public Safety Academy, please visit middlesexsheriff.org.
