Children in Central Islip are staying in shape with some help from the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office.

The My Brother's Keeper Program at Charles A. Mulligan Elementary School helps children learn the importance of staying fit.

The program also has an academic component to it where campers practice their math and English skills. It also involves lessons on character building, learning what it means to be respectful and building positive and healthy relationship.

"We think it's very important for them not to be involved in gangs or negative influences in their lives and really they can achieve any goal that they want," says Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr.

The three-week summer camp also has children, ages 10-14, working with other community service members like the Central Islip Fire Department.

High school students are also employed as mentors for the campers.

Funding for the program came from a federal grant from the My Brothers' Keeper initiative.

The program ends Thursday, but the sheriff's office and school are hoping to continue with a Saturday program from October through June.