Durham County Sheriff's Department Brings Community Helpers Week to Life at Bright Horizons at Research Triangle Park

August 21, 2026 – Preschoolers at Bright Horizons at Research Triangle Park in Durham, NC enjoyed a memorable hands-on learning experience when members of the Durham County Sheriff's Department recently visited the center as part of its annual Community Helpers Week, a featured part of the center’s Summer Exploration Camp.

During the visit, officers spoke with children about their jobs and how they help keep the community safe. Children had the opportunity to explore sheriff vehicles and motorcycles, observe flashing lights and sirens, and learn about the equipment law enforcement officers use in their work. The visit also included a special demonstration from members of the SWAT team bomb squad, featuring a robot and a protective bomb suit.

The center’s Summer Exploration Camp is a seasonal program designed to provide fun, engaging, and educational experiences for children throughout the summer months. Offered to Preschool and Kindergarten Prep classrooms, the program brings exciting new activities and projects into the center while helping children connect classroom learning to the world around them.

"This was such an exciting experience for our children and staff," said LaTonya Wardlow, Instructional Coach at Bright Horizons at Research Triangle Park. "I've helped coordinate Summer Exploration programming at our center for nearly five years, and this was the first time we welcomed the entire SWAT team from Sheriff's Department as part of Community Helpers Week. Seeing the children's faces light up as they explored the vehicles, met the officers, and learned about the important work they do in our community made the day truly unforgettable."

To learn more about Bright Horizons at Research Triangle Park, visit here.