Sixth-grader Demi Salway is afraid of heights.

She started shaking on her way up the 25-foot high rock wall, and only made it three-fourths of the way to the top.

But by the end of her stay at Camp POSTCARD, it was her favorite activity.

It stands for Peace Officers Striving To Create And Reinforce Dreams, and for 115 Wyoming fifth- and sixth-graders, that's exactly what the week-long camp does. It's a place where kids learn the value of motivation and teamwork, and "can't" becomes a four letter word.

"You always can, even if you think you can't," said 11-year-old Josie Austin from Kaycee.

The fifth annual Volunteers of America camp POSTCARD began Sunday and ends today at the Allen H. Stewart Lions Camp on Casper Mountain.

Each of the 36 counselors was a law enforcement officer, even if their campers didn't know it. Sheriff deputies, police officers and National Guardsmen volunteered to spend time with students from their local counties. Campers were hand-picked from teacher and officer recommendations based on leadership skills or leadership potential.

For Michele Leete, a Natrona County Sheriff's deputy, the best part was seeing the accomplishment of each individual team.

"They come together to complete a task and they feel proud of themselves," she said. "You can see the accomplishment on their faces and how good they feel."

Activities were specifically designed to teach kids the value of teamwork. Leete said they were frustrating, even for adults, but taught everyone to turn a finger-pointing mentality into a collaborative one. If even one team member used a snappy tone, yelled or used the word "can't," the whole team - including counselors - had to do push-ups.

Austin said the push-ups were called "reminders," and said one thing she learned was that "girl push-ups are so much easier than boy push-ups."

But even "reminders" couldn't make the kids forget all the fun. Days were filled with lessons from a variety of officers about everything from shooting guns to touring helicopters. Campfires, games and cabin activities filled the evenings. There were even special guests including the Jackson Hole Mounted Police, the National Guard and even a search-and-rescue dog.

To bring the camp to a close last night, the kids saw their counselors in full officer uniform. For Natrona County Sheriff's deputy Cheri Frimml, it was the highlight of the week.

"It's a very emotional night," she said. "They learn that all week long these police officers have been their mentors, counselors and friends."

After this week, Frimml and Leete will both try as much as possible to keep in touch and checkup on their nine Natrona County campers.

As for Salway and Austin, they are hoping to return in two years as junior counselors. Until then, they are staying away from the new four letter word and taking their new skills back to their communities.

"You have to work as a team," Salway said. "If you don't listen to people's ideas, you won't get through what you have to do."

Reach Riane Menardi at (307) 266-0610 or riane.menardi@trib.com