New York State Sheriffs' Institute & Summer Camp

New York State Sheriffs' Institute & Summer Camp This is the official page of the New York State Sheriffs' Institute and Summer Camp. The role of sheriff is also known as "the people's law man."

The New York State Sheriffs Institute (NYSSI) is a not-for-profit organization that was formed in 1979 to operate the charitable and educational programs formerly conducted by the Sheriffs Association. The Institute is tax exempt under IRS Code 501(c)(3), and is comprised of all the elected and appointed Sheriffs of New York State. Undersheriffs and past Sheriffs are eligible for Associate members

hip. The NYSSI relies on donations, grants, and honorary memberships from the public to maintain its programs—all of which provide vital experiences, training, and services for greater crime prevention and public safety statewide. NYSSI’s core initiatives include:

+ Operate the Institute’s Summer Camp for children, which provides more than 800 disadvantaged/high risk youths each year with the opportunity to experience summer camp at no cost to their families. At the camp—located on beautiful Keuka Lake—kids positively interact with Sheriffs’ officers and experience activities, recreation, and social situations that may be very new to them. They learn about the dangers of substance abuse, gangs, and violence, and their risk of going to jail decreases while their self-respect, respect for others, and respect for the badge increases.

+ Oversee two statewide Crime Victim Notification Services, including VINE and SAVIN-NY. Crime Victims, their advocates and their families receive timely information about changes that occur with court cases, papers, or the location of their assailant within the system, so that they can prepare and make informed decisions to help keep themselves and their children safe.

+ Provide Education and Training for Sheriffs and their staff. With the right degree and frequency of training, officers are more equipped to deal with situations in the correct and most safe way. The Office of Sheriff is unique because it is the only elected position in law enforcement. They are public servants committed to the people in the communities in which they serve. Through NYSSI’s efforts, both Sheriffs, their staff, and the general public are educated in all areas of Sheriffs’ duties. Through this knowledge, there is a better understanding of the value of law enforcement, and a willingness to provide both morale and financial support to NYSSI and its programs so that the public might be best served by the Sheriffs of New York State.

The 19th ANNUAL STATEWIDE CONFERENCE ON VICTIM NOTIFICATION welcomes Stefanie Thomas as one of our keynote speakers. ➡ R...
08/25/2026

The 19th ANNUAL STATEWIDE CONFERENCE ON VICTIM NOTIFICATION welcomes Stefanie Thomas as one of our keynote speakers.

➡ REGISTRATION LINK : https://sheriffsinstitute.org/registration

Please join us for a powerful and personal presentation, What Happens After: A Survivor’s Perspective, featuring survivor advocate Stefanie Thomas. Through her personal journey, Stefanie will share the realities of surviving abuse, the lasting impact of trauma, and the complex path of rebuilding a life after victimization. Her presentation offers a candid look at the challenges survivors face, the different ways individuals respond to trauma, and the importance of compassion, understanding, and victim-centered support. This session will provide attendees with valuable insight into the survivor experience while reinforcing the critical role that law enforcement, victim advocates, prosecutors, and community partners play in the moments that follow and throughout a journey. Stefanie’s story is one of resilience, courage, and perseverance - an unforgettable reminder of why the work we do matters.

What: 19th Annual Conference on Victim Notification
When: October 1st, 2026; 9AM - 4PM
Where: Crowne Plaza Albany- The Desmond Hotel

Please share this event with others you feel would benefit from attending.

Please don’t hesitate to contact New York State Sheriffs' Institute & Summer Camp Program Manager Chuck Gallo ([email protected]) or NYSSI Executive Director Chris O’Brien ([email protected]) with any questions.

Part of camp programming is having each camper write a thank you note to someone. Here's a little note from Thomas to Wa...
08/25/2026

Part of camp programming is having each camper write a thank you note to someone. Here's a little note from Thomas to Washington County Sheriff's Office. ❤️

Happy Camper! Because I have such an awesome office, I'm used to getting a lot of fan mail. This one hits right in the "feels" because of all the programs we participate in, it's the ones that impact children that I love the most. This card from Thomas made my day, week, year all of it! It's also a strong testament to the value of the NYS Sheriff's Institute summer camp in Keuka Lake. Kids from around the State attend each year and according to Thomas it's pretty cool! If you'd like to donate to help send more kids please click the link. Thank you to all who donate each year ! -------Sheriff Murphy

https://sheriffsinstitute.org/camp

Each year we spend a lot of time hiring camp counselors for the Sheriffs’ Camp. Reviewing applications, interviewing, co...
08/19/2026

Each year we spend a lot of time hiring camp counselors for the Sheriffs’ Camp. Reviewing applications, interviewing, contacting references, performing background checks, making selections, training…it all takes time to ensure we have the best of the best. Counselors are integral to our success, and we take pride in choosing individuals that believe in our mission and are professional and safety focused.

Thank you to our incredible counselors for putting time aside this summer to work with us and be role models for the campers. We couldn't do this without you.

If you’re interested in being a counselor for the 2027 camp season, keep an eye on our socials and bookmark https://sheriffsinstitute.org/camp/work for the application. Returning counselors are especially wanted!

Midway through August and the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute Summer Camp season is over. Time flies when you’re havi...
08/17/2026

Midway through August and the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute Summer Camp season is over. Time flies when you’re having fun!
Camp staff and volunteers are now in “Post-Camp”, tidying up loose ends and putting everything away until next year.

We extend our gratitude to all the sheriff’s offices and deputies that participated as volunteers, presenters, and role models this season. Another big thank you to our camp counselors and staff for providing a safe and welcoming place for disadvantaged youth. A huge thank you to our campers and their families for trusting us to provide an awesome experience.

A special thank you to our donors that make camp possible. We couldn’t do it without your support. Visit sheriffsinstitute.org for more about camp.

The 19th ANNUAL Statewide Conference on Victim Notification welcomes Rikki Shaw as one of our keynote speakers. ➡ REGIST...
08/13/2026

The 19th ANNUAL Statewide Conference on Victim Notification welcomes Rikki Shaw as one of our keynote speakers.

➡ REGISTRATION LINK : https://sheriffsinstitute.org/registration

Please join us for, “The First Response: How Law Enforcement Shapes a Survivor’s Path”. The presentation draws on two experiences twenty years apart — as a r**e survivor and later as a domestic violence survivor — and examines Rikki’s interactions with law enforcement and the justice system when the perpetrators were politically connected. Rikki will walk through what the system got right, where the gaps remain, and why the first response is often the moment that determines everything that follows for a survivor.

What: 19th Annual Conference on Victim Notification
When: October 1st, 2026; 9AM - 4PM
Where: Crowne Plaza Albany- The Desmond Hotel

Please share this event with others you feel would benefit from attending.

Please don’t hesitate to contact New York State Sheriffs' Institute & Summer Camp Program Manager Chuck Gallo ([email protected]) or NYSSI Executive Director Chris O’Brien ([email protected]) with any questions.

We love scrolling through our comment sections and reading the positive, supportive, and nostalgic notes that parents, c...
08/13/2026

We love scrolling through our comment sections and reading the positive, supportive, and nostalgic notes that parents, campers, and staff leave on posts. Here are just a couple – thank you to all of you who have taken a moment to share. 💙

If you can contribute and provide kids with the Sheriffs' Camp experience, please donate at sheriffsinstitute.org.

Sheriff's offices across the state help support youth at the Sheriffs' Camp every summer, but that's not all they do for...
08/13/2026

Sheriff's offices across the state help support youth at the Sheriffs' Camp every summer, but that's not all they do for kids! Events like this one in Oneida County are critical for making connections, building kids' confidence, and having fun. What a great turn out!

The county fairs continue, and so does the community outreach! Look for your local sheriff's office at your county fair ...
08/11/2026

The county fairs continue, and so does the community outreach! Look for your local sheriff's office at your county fair for info about programs like the New York State Sheriffs' Association Operation SAFE CHILD.

Child ID-Franklin County Fair

Our Child ID program will be set up at the Franklin County Fair today (8/10), tomorrow (8/11), and Friday (8/14) from approximately 10am until 2:30pm in the commercial building. This program is free of charge.

Madison County sent a great group to camp this year!
08/11/2026

Madison County sent a great group to camp this year!

The Madison County Sheriff's Office sent 11 children to enjoy a week at NYS Sheriff’s Summer Camp in Penn Yan, NY. This is an all-paid, adventure for the kids with transportation, meals and lodging covered completely by the New York State Sheriffs' Association.

The campers will spend the week exploring the outdoors with new friends. From fishing and sailing, to campfires and dances. They will make fond memories to last a lifetime.

Happy camping!

Thank you to Broome County for capturing these awesome photos! It's been a gorgeous summer at camp, and we're not done y...
08/11/2026

Thank you to Broome County for capturing these awesome photos! It's been a gorgeous summer at camp, and we're not done yet!

Address

27 Elk Street
Albany, NY
12207

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15184349091

Website

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