The Wilson Post
LEBANON WEATHER

FBI visits Empower Me




FBI agents Jeff Dale and Dean Kinsman help Empower Me camper Nick Nabaa try on a vestSABRINA GARRETT

FBI agents Jeff Dale and Dean Kinsman help Empower Me camper Nick Nabaa try on a vestSABRINA GARRETT

Superhero Week at Lebanon’s Empower Me Day Camp wrapped up with a visit from some real-life heroes.

FBI and ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) representatives took time to meet with campers Friday.

It was the second week of their six-week camp focused on celebrating the uniqueness of young people with mild to moderate physical, developmental or mental disabilities. There are three weeks of camp in June, followed by three weeks of camp in July, explained Empower Me Executive Director Michelle Hill.

“This is Superhero Week. We feel like these people are our true heroes. We are excited to have them there,” she said, noting they brought SWAT gear, night vision goggles, robots and more for the kids to experience. “The FBI and ATF are both here to share their expertise with our kiddos, and our kids in turn get to share their gifts and talents with them. It is a win-win day.”

Hill said 30 youngsters ranging in age from 5 to 34 years old signed up for this year’s summer camp program. Empower Me Day Camp is now in its 20th year.

“Our regular camp hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., but we have an early arrival program to help us accommodate some of our working families. We have kids who come as early at 7 a.m. and stay as late as 5 o’clock,” Hill continued.

The camp was held in the Baird Municipal Park area.

FBI agents Jeff Dale and Dean Kinsman set up a booth outside for kids to try on a variety of special equipment – a helmet, gas mask, ballistic vest and walkie talkies, to name a few.

Both men are from the Nashville area and said they were happy to showcase what the FBI does.

“I think it is important for the public to know what the FBI does and how we protect the public from bad guys who might try to hurt them or some of these kids,” said Kinsman.

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