Our Visit

Recently, VolusiaExposed.Com received an invitiation to tour the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch located off of State Road 40 near Barberville.

Much to our surprise, we were welcomed by smiling faces directing us to where the activities were to start.

We caught up with a tour of the facilities directed by Cori Welbes, assisted by John Szaroleta and several staff members.

According to Welbes, the facilities welcome 72 campers every week for the 10-11 weeks summer session. Welbes further stated that the facilities are used by various group the remainder of the year.

The main goal of the camp is for at risk or low income children, who may never get the opportunity to attend summer camp, to do so.

While we were touring the facilities, it was hard not to see the smiles on the children's faces, and the pride of the camp counselors for the completion of yet another successful week of camping and character building.

The highlight of the evening was the parade of police cars from several jurisdictions, and the award ceremony and dinner, hosted by Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson and his wife, Leslie Gayle.

We would like to thank Debi Girard and the staff of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch for the invitation, and their hard work and commitment to the children and the community.

If you would like to donate, or learn more about this great cause, please visit Youthranches.org, or email Debi Girard.

We are sure that she will be happy to hear from you.