A new program teaching environmental awareness, employment readiness and financial planning lessons to middle school students has been keeping their summers full.

PEACE, Inc. developed a reboot of the campaign they call "Let Me Be Great #44 Dunk Your Junk” as an updated version of a successful anti-litter campaign from the late 1980s.

The program has allowed more than 120 kids in the city of Syracuse to pick up one-of-a-kind job readiness skills this summer.

“You want to be a police officer? You gotta stay in school and do the right thing,” says Syracuse Police Officer Nikki Hendrix, showing off her body camera to a group of students.

Students like 13-year-old Khalil Cox are spending this particular day painting with Officer Hendrix while learning things about the Sheriff’s department, like the department’s dog.

"I did not think it could find it that fast!" says Khalil, watching the K-9 complete a challenge.

PEACE, Inc. Eastside Family Resource Center hosts events like these, and they’re sponsored by the United Way.

“I’ve learned a whole bunch of different education,” says Khalil. “I learned about animals, when we went to the zoo and when we went to the science stuff. We got to see everything. I haven’t seen police do this before so it was good for me, too.”

Camp advisors like Sabrina Scott invest their summer into these children and hope funding for these enrichment activities can continue.

"We’re cleaning neighborhoods, going on field trips and also helping them learn about financial literacy. They will get a stipend at the end of the program," says Scott.

Campers are paid $300 each on average if they attend every day of the three-week camp. The youth are given the opportunity to open a bank account with the $20 per day they earn from attending the camp to help teach habits for saving money, as well.

Organizers say they appreciate law enforcement rounding out the youth program.

“Being able to talk to them casually, relax, do an activity with them. Letting them know that they can be on call when they’re in need was the greatest thing we could have here at Dunk Your Junk. Giving the young people a safe place to be active and stay off the street,” says Scott.