Group of students and adults on stage, holding certificates, in a school auditorium with a black curtain and sound equipment in the background.

2026 Youth Academy

July 27th - 31st

The Culpeper County Sheriff's Office Youth Academy is a summer program that provides up to 25 high school students with an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement operations and procedures.

A group of four young people, three women and one man, standing outdoors in front of a building, engaged in a conversation with a man in camouflage military uniform who is holding a rifle. The women are wearing blue shirts, and the man in uniform is wearing a tan t-shirt and camouflage pants. The setting appears casual and informal.

  • The Culpeper County Sheriff's Office Youth Academy is structured so that young adults can have an opportunity to experience some of the training, procedures, and technology that are utilized by today's law enforcement.

    The daily classes will consist of mainly hands on activities in criminal investigations, evidence recovery, patrol practices, defensive tactics, and firearms.

    The participants will also attend demonstrations from the various specialized units that are available to law enforcement such as K-9 Unit, Motor Squad, and SWAT.

    The participants will take field trips to the Culpeper County Jail, Culpeper E-911 Communication Center, Culpeper County Courthouse, firearms range and other law enforcement related locations as available.

    Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to attend CPR Training and upon successful completion be certified in CPR/AED and First Aid.

    Subjects covered in the Youth Academy:

    • Law Enforcement Academy Life

    • Law Enforcement Physical Training

    • Role of Law Enforcement in the Community

    • Jail Operations

    • Court Operations

    • E-911 Operations

    • Basic Crime Scene Investigation

    • Firearms Safety (Live Fire on Range)

    • Crime Scene Processing

    • K-9 Operations

    • Patrol Operations

    • Basic Explosive Awareness

    • SWAT Operations

    • Defensive Tactics

    • Traffic Unit Operations

    • CPR/AED/First Aid Certification

  • Any Culpeper resident who is enrolled in high school for the 2026-2027 school year may apply (ie: 8th graders rising into 9th grade are eligible).

    There is no age requirement or fee to participate.

    The below Application must be completed, in its entirety, and submitted prior to the deadline; July 3, 2026 at 4pm.

    Applications will be evaluated on a "first come, first serve" basis.

    Class size is limited to the first 25 qualifying individuals.

  • Application Requirements

    1. Enrolled in High School for 2026-2027 school year.

    2. Must be a Culpeper County Resident.

    3. Must be a United States citizen.

    4. Not been convicted of any major criminal acts.

    5. Parent/Legal Guardian must sign a waiver form.

    After the application is received, the Sheriff's Office will perform a criminal background check and contact all references.

    Please Note: This process may take a few weeks to complete. After all information is processed, the Sheriff's Office will contact the applicant.

    Attendance requirements for Youth Academy

    The Youth Academy will be held July 27 thru July 31, 2026 from 8am until 3pm each day, unless otherwise advised.

    Each participant will be expected to be in attendance and on time for all of the scheduled classes and activities, except for absences due to unforeseen emergencies.

    Due to the structure of the program, parents/guardians are not able to attend with the participant.

    Parents/guardians will be allowed to the graduation ceremony.

    ADVISORY

    The Youth Academy will adhere to a strict code of conduct and participation standards.

    All participants will be expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with good citizens of the community, a law enforcement officer, and any rules associated with the Youth Academy.

    Parental Consent - Waiver/Release of Claims form and the Emergency Medical Treatment form are required before anyone is allowed to participate in the program.

    Additional information will be enclosed with the Applicant's Acceptance letter after the application process has been completed.

  • If you need any further information, please contact Culpeper County Sheriff's Office, Captain Rob Vail at rvail@culpepercounty.gov.

Download Application
A group of young students in blue uniforms sitting in an auditorium with blue cushioned seats, talking to each other, while a police officer stands nearby and a man in black shirt shows something on his phone.
A group of young students in blue uniforms sitting in an auditorium with blue cushioned seats, talking to each other, while a police officer stands nearby and a man in black shirt shows something on his phone.