Pennsylvania State Police recently held boot camp for kids between ages 11 and 14 to give them an experience of being a police officer, writes Kyana Lance for 6abc.

“Troop K Camp Cadet” took place at Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne.

Much like an army boot camp, when kids first arrive, the troopers tell them exactly what is expected of them, where they need to go, and what they need to do. 

“A lot of people don’t understand why we’re hard on them at the very beginning,” said PA State Police Trooper Paul Holdefer. “But we’re setting a standard of excellence.”

Throughout the week, the kids will do normal camp activities, but will also do law enforcement activities, like forensics, and learning about K9s and aviation.

On Friday, the campers march in formation and are selected as junior troopers.

“It’s great to see the kids can go from being young, not really sure of themselves at all to being full-fledged state troopers knowing what they want to do in life and have a career,” Trooper Holdefer said.

.“If you do everything right you’ll have a great experience, I guarantee it,” said camp cadet Zachary Huffman.

Read more about this unique police-oriented summer camp at 6abc.