Rockwall teens to learn legal rights at summer camp

A new legal education mini camp will give Rockwall-area teens a rare chance to hear directly from attorneys, law enforcement officers and community leaders while learning how local systems work. Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas is folding the program into its summer lineup as one of eight camp experiences, with a focus on teens ages 13 to 18 who may not otherwise see law, advocacy or civic leadership as reachable paths.

The Legal Education Mini Camp is set for July 13 through July 16, from noon to 6 p.m., at First United Methodist Church Rockwall, 1200 E. Yellow Jacket Ln., in the same location as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas Rockwall Teen Center. During the four-day program, participants will study legal rights, civic responsibility and decision-making, while also taking on realistic scenarios that introduce them to local government, public safety systems and the expectations that come with adulthood.

The camp is tied to the organization’s Keystone Club leadership program, the teen track within Boys & Girls Clubs of America for ages 14 to 18. Keystone Club is built around academic success, career preparation and community service, which makes the Rockwall camp more than a summer pastime. It is being used as a structured pathway for teens to practice leadership, ask questions and build confidence in front of adults working in the justice and public safety fields.

Support from the Texas Bar Foundation is helping make that possible. The foundation awarded Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Texas $8,000 in its spring 2026 grant cycle for “Future Ready: Keystone Club,” money intended to support leadership development and a week-long summer camp educating Rockwall teens on law enforcement, civic engagement and their rights. The foundation said its spring grant cycle distributed $960,240 to 73 organizations and is aimed at strengthening the rule of law and the justice system in Texas.

The Rockwall effort is also building on prior work. In 2024, a grant announcement said the Rockwall Teen Center received support to establish a Keystone Club and host a Legal/Civic Mini Camp, suggesting this year’s program extends an existing model rather than starting from scratch. For Rockwall, a fast-growing county seat about 22 miles east of downtown Dallas with a population of more than 50,000, the camp adds another hands-on option for teens who need practical preparation as much as summer structure.