‘Boys to Men’ adds ‘Girls to Pearls’ at DeKalb County summer youth program

Thirty Dekalb County young men and women begin their “Boys to Men” and this year “Girls to Pearls” summer camp.

“All these wonderful speakers coming in to inspire us, just amazing,” 12-year-old Dream Favors told Channel 2′s Steve Gehlbach.

The sheriff’s office added girls after only hosting young men their first year.

“Not many get an experience like this,” said 12-year-old Brayden Leach. “This is a one in a lifetime chance.”

Leach graduated from the program a year ago and came back to share his experience.

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The campers, ages 9 to 15 come from all walks of life, all areas of the county, and had to write an essay to apply.

“Those that just want some guidance said they want someone to support them,” Sheriff Melody Maddox said.

Favors is going into the 8th grade.

“I feel like it’s going to help me mature a little,” she said.

The week-long camp will teach things like managing gangs, bullying and peer pressure.

The camp will also teach how to engage with law enforcement. The ultimate goal is to give the youth new skills and a foundation to be successful.

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Maddox says programs like this make a difference.

She told Channel 2 she sees inmates every day, as well as tragedies like the shooting earlier this year outside a skating rink where a 13-year-old shooter killed an 11-year-old.

Maddox said it broke her heart as a mother, grandmother, and sheriff.

“I see more than anybody else,” Maddox said. “It’s a difference when you’re actually in here and working and get chance to talk to these individuals — to see what went wrong.”

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