By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 22, 2012 1:00 AM

Kevin Minguy honoured his late father last year. This year, younger brother Colin Minguy will find out what it’s like to train for law enforcement as he takes part in the 13th annual Jean Minguy Memorial RCMP Youth Academy April 29 to May 5 at the Vernon Army Camp. “It was quite an experience for those of us who knew Jean to have Kevin take part last year,” said academy chairperson Terry Pakenham. “It’s equally exciting this year to have Jean’s youngest son, Colin, go through the academy. Jean’s legacy continues. When we talk to communities about the academy, we always bring Jean up and just how valuable he was.” Jean was a popular member of the Vernon RCMP detachment, and instructor at the academy which now bears his name. He drowned on duty in Okanagan Lake in 2005. The academy brings together students from throughout the Okanagan and, this year, from as far as Revelstoke to the north and Osoyoos and Keremeos to the south for a one-week simulation of RCMP training, facilitated by current RCMP members. Some instructors are former academy members. “At this point, we have 50 students attending,” said Vernon RCMP school liaison officer, and academy operations representative, Const. Kathy Szoboticsanec. “It’s really exciting to have equal representation from each school district.” One of the biggest components of the academy is conditioning, said Pakenham. “One reason is obviously for the physical well-being and health of the cadets,” he said. “There’s also teamwork. We’ll be putting the cadets into some pretty stressful situations, and they’ll have to pull together as a team to work through that.” To help with conditioning, academy organizers have brought aboard Vernon-based Total Approach Fitness, operated by Sam and Gia Mowat, whose son, Max, has spent the last two seasons with the Vernon Vipers, to help with the fitness aspect. “Our communities have given a ton to us through minor sports and the school systems, and this is a chance for us to give back,” said Sam, adding that Gia has been a yoga instructor for nearly 17 years, and that – like it or not – Max has gone through the testing and now has tremendous flexibility for someone his age. “This academy is a great thing. There will be 50 young kids, leaders of their communities in the future, and it’s a chance for us to participate. It should be a pleasure to do that.” Pakenham said it’s partnerships such as the one created with Total Approach Fitness, and with municipal governments, that has helped the academy continue.