The Hawthorne Police Department Leadership Camp is a one-week, 30-hour program that runs Monday through Friday at the Lincoln Middle School.  The program is staffed by police officers who are experienced in youth programs in conjunction with the Lincoln Middle School personnel.  The dates for 2026 will be August 10^th through August 14^th. Applications will be available at the Hawthorne Police Department as well as online beginning March 2026.

The camp is for students entering the sixth grade at Lincoln Middle School in September of 2026.  This program is designed to assist incoming students to the layout of Lincoln Middle School as well as getting acquainted with faculty members and new classmates from the other schools in our district. Officers and LMS teachers instruct the students to work together as a team, develop leadership skills, and become familiar with the Lincoln Middle School environment.   We also focus on respect for authority, respect for our armed forces and patriotism.  Current Lincoln Middle School students assist as mentors at the camp.  Each year teachers at Lincoln Middle School report a marked improvement in the attitude and confidence of the incoming students who have attended Leadership Camp.   Students will participate in various programs throughout the week including:

• Becoming familiar with Lincoln Middle School
• Classroom and locker organization
• Use of a combination lock
• Adjusting to the new academic curriculum
• The middle school grading system
• Leadership building activities

 With your support and enrollment, we can make the transition to the Lincoln Middle School a positive experience for your child.