Sixteen area youths will meet Tuesday as the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Foundation launches its Explorer Post/Learning for Life program.

Under the umbrella of the Boy Scouts of America, the Explorers (formerly Explorer Scouts) program will, in this case, provide learning opportunities for youth 14-21 who are interested in law enforcement careers, said Bulloch County Sheriff’s Deputy James “Bubba” Revell, one of the Explorer Post leaders.

According to information Revell provided, “Exploring” is a Learning for Life (affiliated with BSA) program that is an interactive worksite-based career education program. The Bulloch County Explorer Post is geared towards law enforcement careers, he said.

Exploring posts or clubs, sponsored by local businesses, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations, are usually centered on a single career field, he said.

According to Internet website www.learningforlife.org, the program “makes learning critical character development and life skills fun and engaging.”

When the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office first began discussing the Explorer program a couple of years ago, Sgt. Jimmy Billings described the program as being "like the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office version of Boy Scouts or ROTC."

Revell said the program is reminiscent of lessons JROTC teaches young people. The program demands discipline, participants must maintain good grades and are subjected to background checks, he said.

Explorers will face career orientation experiences, leadership opportunities and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible members of the community.

Explorers in this post will learn leadership skills, respect for police officers, new personal skills, marksmanship and law enforcement protocols.

There are also opportunities for regional and national events and competitions, as well as community service, Revell said. The 16 participants, recruited from area schools, are set to compete in a state event this summer.

The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Foundation is footing most of the bill for the program, including uniform costs and competition fees. Teens are asked to pay the initial $40 registration fee, but scholarships are available, he said.

The BCSO Explorer badge that will be featured on uniforms identifies the group as Explorer Post 8, in honor of Sgt. Wilbur Berry, who lost his life in the line of duty 20 years ago when he was shot by a fugitive. Berry’s badge number was 8.

One of the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Foundation fund raisers is the Boston Butt sale, an event that was inherited from the former local Boy Scout troops. The sales help raise money to support the Explorer Post and its activities, he said.

The next Boston Butt sale is scheduled for a pick-up date on April 19. Butts cost $30 and can be picked up from 12 noon to 9 p.m. at the old Scout Hut on East Main Street. Tickets are available at the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, during the upcoming First Friday event in downtown Statesboro April 12, and at the Main Street Farmer’s Market on Saturdays.

The Explorers will hold their first meeting Tuesday at the Bulloch County 911 Center, but future meetings and events will be held at the Law Enforcement Training Center on Hwy 301 North.

Also, the Explorers will travel to Forsyth to “Explorer Academy,” Revell said.

For more information about the Explorer Post program, contact Revell at (912) 764-8888.

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at 912-489-9414.