Teens who wonder what it’s really like to be in law enforcement, or even those who are just curious are encouraged to apply for the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Teen Leadership & Career Day Camp. This FREE 4-day camp is packed with real law enforcement action, like SWAT and bomb squad demos, dive experiences, studying cold cases, an emergency driving demo, a jail tour, and a service day. It offers participants a chance to get hands-on, behind-the-scenes experience. Teens from outside Bonneville county are welcome to apply. Participants can choose to attend camp the week of June 2-5 or the week of June 9-12.

Applications are now open to teens entering 9th grade through recent grads. Those interested can find more info and download an application by visiting bonnevillesheriff.com and searching teen career camp.

Elevate Academy in Idaho Falls is part of Idaho's Elevate Network, which is a network of year-round 6th-12th grade technical career charter schools. They have schools in Caldwell, Nampa, Post Falls, and now Idaho Falls. The Idaho Falls campus is new this year and when Westmark leadership was introduced to the Academy and its educational model, they knew they wanted to make an investment in Elevate, and because of the returns it would bring to Elevate's students and the community. Elevate Academy’s mission is "for all students to take responsibility for leading their own lives and studying a career track that may include vocational and college paths or a combination thereof.” Elevate offers technical education designed and taught by professionals from those industries. It also aligns offerings to meet Idaho’s industry needs. Local industry partnerships include construction, welding/manufacturing, culinary arts, criminal justice, firefighting, business/marketing, graphic design, medical arts, and others according to community input and need. (www.elevate208.org)

Heather Sampson interviews Micheal Johnson of the local of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), chapter 972. He emphasizes that the organization will do what it can for any veteran, not just Vietnam Vets, and operates under the motto of "no veteran left behind". Johnson says the VVA has gotten more laws passed that help veterans than any other organization. Right now, his mission is to raise funds so the chapter can install ramps on the outside of veteran's homes. The VVA chapter cannot install the ramps because of legal liability, so they raise money for ramps and installation. There are companies interested in donating ramps to chapter 972, but installation is still a hurdle. The chapter will gladly accept labor from companies that do ramp installation. They could also use some help with IT support so they can process online donations. Currently they meet at the Veteran's Memorial Building in downtown Idaho Falls every 3rd Thursday and need to get the word out as their numbers are dwindling.