SELINSGROVE — Fifty-four members of Susquehanna Valley Law Enforcement Camp Cadet crowded around a $25 million U.S. Army Apache helicopter moments after it made an impressive landing near the Susquehanna University field house.

The demonstration was part of the third annual week-long Camp Cadet experience that gives youths between the ages of 12 and 15 from Northumberland, Snyder, Union and Montour counties a glimpse of the criminal justice system.

The cadets rise early and are kept on a rigid schedule that includes physical training, marching and teamwork-building activities as well as visits from area law enforcement agencies that will include a self-defense demonstration, search diving team and a mock accident.

The exhibitions offer a respite from the grueling physical activity, said cadet David Capatch, of Lewisburg.

“We’re getting thrashed every day, every minute,” the 15-year-old said. “My friends said they survived (last year’s camp). I knew it would be rough.”

Fourteen-year-old Courtney Wolfberg’s older brother, Cameron, attended Camp Cadet two years ago and she wanted to prove her mettle.

“I wanted to see if I could handle it,” she said.

Colton Moyer, 17, of Mount Pleasant Mills, is a former cadet who’s returned the past two years to serve as a junior counselor.

“They really stress the idea of working as a team,” he said of the benefits of the camp. “It just opens your eyes to law enforcement and the field.”

The camp is run by members of the Pennsylvania state police and is funded through private and business donations.