Troy University Camp Trains Middle Schoolers as Civic Heroes

Middle schoolers in Troy, Alabama, are learning that being a good citizen can feel like becoming a superhero.

More than 15 fourth through sixth graders attended Troy University's Civic Heroes Camp this July, where they built communities, ran cities, and discovered their power to help neighbors. The weeklong program transformed dense topics like the Constitution and government branches into hands-on adventures.

Each day brought a new community hero through the doors. Police officers arrived with K-9 companions, firefighters shared their stories, and local leaders showed campers what service looks like in action.

"We train them up to be little superheroes in their communities," said Tori Elmore, program advisor for Troy University's Office of Civic Engagement. "We ultimately want them to understand that they play a huge role in their community, even at a young age."

The camp's final day featured something special: a birthday party for America's 250th anniversary. Campers donned Founding Father hats and held their own Constitutional Convention, celebrating the nation's milestone with hands-on history.

Ruth, a sixth grader from Ariton, took away a powerful lesson about integrity. "Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching," she explained, adding that she also enjoyed making bracelets and playing basketball with new friends.

Evie, a sixth grader from Troy, appreciated diving deeper than her regular school curriculum. "We started learning about the Constitution in school, but not that much," she said, noting she now understands the first ten amendments, the Declaration of Independence, and more.

The Ripple Effect

The program reaches beyond individual students into the broader community. By connecting young people with police officers, firefighters, and nonprofit leaders, Civic Heroes builds bridges between generations and professions, creating networks of care that strengthen the entire city.

The camp runs thanks to a grant from the David Matthews Center for Civic Life, which works across all 67 Alabama counties to build civic engagement skills. What started seven years ago evolved during the pandemic, when organizers created the superhero theme for virtual programming that proved so popular it stuck.

Now campers gather at Elm Street Gym each summer morning, receiving hero packs filled with materials and snacks, ready to discover that even young voices can shape their communities for the better.