School is out and it's time for local kids to start walking the beat.

The Dawson County Sheriff's Junior Law Enforcement Academy will begin June 13 and rising fifth through ninth graders will learn to make felony traffic stops, interact with the K-9 unit and learn what to do with a shoplifter, according to Sgt. Shane Henson.

"It's just a great time for them. They love it," Henson said.

"Officers from the agency will come out and help teach."

It is a week-long adventure for local students who want to understand what's involved in law enforcement. The camp is free and runs from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Graduation will take place on Friday.

Henson said that officers will role play different scenarios so that the kids will be able to put to use what they learned during the week.

The camp combines classroom training with practical hands-on procedures.

"They will have to handle the situation by the end of the week," Henson said.

Students will have the chance to learn about emergency vehicle operations, shoot paint ball guns and drive golf carts to make traffic stops, according to Henson.

Local vendors work with the department to provide lunch each day for the participants.

Interested students were asked to write essays this spring to tell why they wanted to attend the academy. They were later notified of their acceptance to the program.

The academy will take place at Dawson County Middle School. For more information, contact the sheriff's office at (706) 344-3535.