Several people were on hand Saturday for Trooper Island Camp Appreciation Day, marking the beginning of a new camping season at the facility located on Dale Hollow Lake in southwest Clinton County.

The annual event also includes a mid-day ceremony during which time the Kentucky State Police officers who have given their lives in the line of duty are recognized.

Held at the “blue light memorial” near the entrance to the camp, the solemn service includes a program featuring the KSP Honor Guard.

In the far left photo, as Camp Director KSP Sgt. Craig Sutton reads the names of the fallen officers, one member of the Honor Guard displays a photo of each officer.

At right, the Honor Guard as they made their way down to the blue light memorial for Saturday’s service. In the smaller photo at left, the plaque containing the names of the fallen officers is shown, in front of the blue light that remains lit around the clock and is visible from Dale Hollow Lake.

Trooper Island is a youth camp for underprivileged and at-risk Kentucky boys and girls, that provides selected campers with a week-long camping experience at no cost to them.

The camp is operated solely on private donations, and since it’s founding in 1965, has provided the camping experience to approximately 28,000 Kentucky youth.

Appreciation Day gathering marks start of Trooper Island Camp season