(Colin Congdon demonstrates shooting while instructor Dave Mello explains what kickback is.)

Colin Congdon, 11, held the butt of the rifle against his shoulder. Focused, he took a couple of deep breaths as he gently squeezed the trigger.

Congdon, along with 20 other 11-14 year olds, was at the Marshfield Rod and Gun Club last Friday where the group learned gun safety as part of a week-long summer camp sponsored by the Duxbury Police Department. Administered by Officers Friend Weiler and Tim Wigmore, the camp’s goal is to show what police officers do on a daily basis and get kids excited about the criminal justice system.

The curriculum included a visit to the Duxbury Fire Department and ride-along with the Harbormaster to demonstrate how the departments work together; an intensive work out with physical education teachers at the high school; a tour of the Plymouth County House of Correction where the kids spoke with inmates, used a police simulator to make fake arrests and practiced different police situations; and of course a visit to the police station where they were shown a day in the life of a cop.

The group’s last day of camp, at the Rod and Gun Club, was about firearm safety. While there, they learned how to shoot a .22 caliber rifle and use a bow and arrow. The 20 children in the group all watched attentively as Dave Mello, a National Rifle Association certified instructor, taught them the three rules of gun safety: always point the gun in a safe direction, keep your finger off the trigger and make sure the gun isn’t loaded.

After a lesson in safety, the students went to the indoor range and were instructed further on how to shoot. Aiming at targets 50 feet away, each student shot off five rounds, reloaded and then shot another five rounds. The kids were eager to participate, closely supervised by several instructors at all times. After their turn the kids went back into the lobby where they looked at police firearms, and learned about identifying suspects, finger printing and suspect line-ups.

“At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it,” said Sara Walker, one of only three girls in the camp. “Officer Weiler was really helpful and I ended up getting six points on my target.”

The week-long camp is funded by the D.A.R.E. program and police union as well as through donations. The camp is in its thirteenth year, twelve of those overseen by Weiler.

“It’s a way to inform kids about criminal justice,” said Weiler. “They learn what community helpers do and hopefully have some fun also.”

Weiler enjoys running the camp and said he tries to add to it each year while still covering the basics. With so many kids returning from previous years, it’s important the curriculum evolve.

“For the first time this year we showed them the taser, and we try to show them new things every year,” Weiler said. “It gives them exposure to it and hopefully spurs them on to explore it more if they’re interested in forensic science or any of the things we cover.”

As for the Marshfield Rod and Gun Club’s Mello, he views the kids’ visit as a mutually positive experience. In addition to teaching them how to safely handle a gun, he instructed them when not to handle a gun by stressing that if they come across a gun anywhere in the world, don’t touch and immediately call police. Mello said the kids always enjoy this part of the camp.

“We had them here last year,” said Mello. “It’s one of the highlights for them, they really enjoy it. I heard they got to see Whitey (Bulger) last year though, that may have beat us out.”

During the break for lunch, Weiler added that the camp helped develop a meaningful relationship between kids and law enforcement.

“It’s a great opportunity to interact with kids,” said Weiler. “We reach them in a positive way, a proactive way, and they’re great kids, too.”