April 16, 2012 -- For the 16^th year in a row, the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Parks and Recreation have partnered to sponsor Operation Safe Summer.

Operation Safe Summer provides youth with opportunities to discover new hobbies and sports that may encourage them stay engaged with their schools during the summer months.

Click here or visit http://www.portlandonline.com/police/operationsafesummer to access the 2012 Operation Safe Summer activity guide, a great place to start your plans for the summer season. The guide offers a wide assortment of recreational and educational programs that provide youth the opportunity to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership, and to just have some old-fashioned fun!

Included in the activity guide is information on the upcoming Fire Camp 2012 being offered by Portland Fire & Rescue. Fire Camp 2012 is a three-day fire training camp specifically for young women ages 16 to 19 who are interested in learning about firefighting through hands-on training. Fire Camp 2012 will be taught and supervised by women firefighters from the Portlandmetro area. Check out page 25 to learn more about Fire Camp 2012 or visit www.portlandonline.com/fire/firecamp.