Race track will offer opportunity for sheriffs

WATKINS GLEN--Sheriff's offices across New York state are having a friendly showdown on Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Watkins Glen International race track. This year, the Sheriff Showdown will find law enforcement agencies from more than 25 counties testing their skills on the WGI-famed road course. The event is a fundraiser with proceeds benefiting children who might not otherwise have the means to participate in summer camp. The New York State Sheriff's Institute operates the former Camp Iroquois (East Bluff Drive, Penn Yan) on Keuka Lake.
"The State Sheriffs' are very proud of our commitment to making a positive difference for our youth," said Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike. "Every year approximately 850 kids from counties across New York state attend. We do this all through donations from individuals and supporters of our mission."
Raising money is never easy, though, so the sheriffs got creative. The first Sheriff Showdown found law enforcement atop horses, competing in equestrian drills. The 2022 Showdown, which will fund campers who attend the Institute during the summer of 2023, is testing a different kind of horsepower. Law enforcement officers will test their driving skills by competing in time trials at WGI.
The daylong event is open to the public and sheriffs are looking for event sponsors to help make the camp a reality for as many children as possible.
"The camp is just like the summer camps that you picture," said Schuyler County Sheriff Kevin Rumsey. "Campers will spend the week canoeing, crafting, swimming, fishing, playing basketball, developing archery skills, and roasting marshmallows around a campfire. The experiences teach teamwork and a variety of life lessons, too."
Unlike traditional camping experiences, though, most of the instructors and counselors at this camp are Deputy Sheriffs.
"The campers don't know who the instructors are, though, until the last day when they suit up," said Rumsey. "We want to bridge the gap between law enforcement and today's youth. We want them to know that we're not just here to arrest the bad guy. We're also here to help. We're people, too. The images they're seeing through the media that paint only a negative picture are focusing on just a few. Overall, this profession is full of great people who just want to help."
For those who would like to join Sheriffs and help to ensure that children can experience the Sheriff's Institute, a variety of Showdown sponsorship options are available, including, for example, packages that entitle the giver to drive laps on the WGI track, ride laps, and participate in a two-day Watkins Glen High-Performance Driving School.
Another option to support the showdown is to attend. General admission tickets are free and include access to WGI, grandstand seats to watch the showdown, the opportunity to meet and interact with the sheriffs, and watch a variety of demonstrations, including SWAT, bomb, SCUBA, mounted, K-9, and the drone response team. Spectators are asked to enter at Gate 2.
For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/sheriffshowdown.