Sometimes, the moments that shape us most begin when we say yes before we ever feel completely ready.
For one group of youth, that yes meant stepping into a week of early mornings, physical challenges, drills, hands-on policing scenarios, and plenty of moments that pushed them outside their comfort zones at the RCMP’s K Division Youth Camp held earlier this year.
RCMP Members were there through the entire week, giving their time, knowledge, and encouragement to create an experience that went far beyond an introduction to policing. They created a space where youth could challenge themselves, ask questions, build confidence, and see firsthand what teamwork, leadership, and service can look like.
For 17-year-old Kieran Boutin of Rimbey, Alberta, that meant putting himself to the test.
Kieran arrived at camp knowing he wanted to pursue a career with the RCMP. Both of his parents are RCMP Members, so policing has been part of his world for as long as he can remember.
“Being the kid of Mounties, I know a lot about the RCMP and policing,” he said.
But for Kieran, it goes beyond what he grew up around. Becoming a Member himself is something he has dreamed about since he was young.
“I truly believe I’ve been called to serve and protect.”
Still, there’s a difference between growing up around policing and stepping into that world for yourself.
The K Division RCMP Youth Camp gave him the chance to do just that: experience some of the demands of police training firsthand, and to see whether the path he envisioned was the right one for him.
Throughout the week, RCMP Members who volunteered their time challenged participants, shared their experiences, and encouraged them to push beyond what they thought they were capable of.
Pushed beyond comfort
It didn’t take long for camp to test his limits.
Kieran considered himself to be in pretty good shape, but the workouts and runs quickly proved tougher than he expected. The days were demanding, and pushing through became a fundamental part of the experience.
“It’s a test of whether you’re going to quit or keep going,” he said. “I chose the second option.”
The workouts were gruelling, but drills, on the other hand, quickly became a favourite. Led by RCMP Members, the drills gave participants an opportunity to experience the discipline, teamwork and attention to detail required throughout policing and training.
Finding your people
The experience wasn’t only about finding out how far you could push yourself. It was also about realizing you didn’t have to do it alone.
Somewhere between the long days, tough workouts and plenty of laughs, the group began to feel like a troop.
That sense of teamwork didn’t happen by accident. Throughout the week, Members encouraged participants to support one another, work through challenges together and approach every task as a team – much like they do in the field.
For Kieran, meeting other youth who shared his goals became one of the best parts of the experience.
“Connecting with people that have the same goals was great,” he said. “It made the work easier, and we had a lot of good laughs too.”
That connection quickly became part of how the group got through the week. They learned to rely on one another, offer encouragement and step up when someone else needed support.
For Kieran, that growth came with added responsibility when he was selected as Right Marker, a leadership role that meant helping set the standard for the troop and leading by example. It was a chance not only to prove something to himself, but to help others succeed.
That’s why opportunities like this matter.
When Members invest in young people through programs like the K Division RCMP Youth Camp, they’re sharing the leadership, teamwork and spirit of service that guide them in their work everyday.
These programs help build confidence, community, and the next generation of people who may one day choose to serve.
Even for those whose path leads outside of policing, the lessons they carry with them about leadership, teamwork, resilience, and giving back can reach far beyond one week at camp.
These community initiatives also give young people an opportunity to build relationships with the Members serving their communities – and have positive experiences with police – helping foster understanding, trust and mutual respect.
Carrying it forward
For Kieran, the experience only strengthened something he had already felt for a long time. He still sees a future with the RCMP, and now that future feels a little more real.
His advice to another youth considering the camp is simple: put the nerves aside and go for it.
Because sometimes, saying yes before you feel completely ready is exactly how confidence begins to grow.
Some of these youth may one day become RCMP Members. Others may follow entirely different paths. Either way, they leave knowing a little more about what they are capable of, the value of the people beside them and the difference they can make in their communities.
And to the Members who helped create that opportunity, thank you for taking time on top of your regular service to mentor, encourage, and inspire the next generation. The impact of that investment reaches far beyond a single week at camp.