Something special we get to do at work every June

[Mark Perry]

We host a week long Fire Camp for about 36-40 kids that are nominated by their teachers from local schools. We donate our time and the FD donates the resources. Its ran in a paramilitary fashion with a FF that looks, acts and sounds like a drill instructor. Even wears the hat. Its pretty rigid as it has to be to keep their attention but they have a blast and most want to return the following year. We only allow 4 kids to return as "helpers" the following year. That first couple of hours they are all looking like scared puppies but halfway through that first day and all week they start laughing and really having a blast.

We have had 6 attendees go on to become paid FF's when they grew up which is cool to see. They learn CPR, first aid, rappelling, extrication, fire safety, home safety and good citizenship. They are required to act as part of a team just as we do and they are expected to act in a respectable manner and in almost 20yrs of hosting these we have never had to send a kid home or kick any out. The parents are warned ahead of time that we have high expectations and will push them. Its fun to see them grow and learn during the week. Its a true confidence builder for the kids.

Always a fun week and glad we get to do it. Here is a news clip that a local station did on it.

http://www.fox4news.com/good-day/kid...ighter-camp-#/

[ColdSVT]

This is a damn good thing!
Keep it going and mold some young men and women

[Walkabout7781]

What age group are you working with? Sounds like a good program.

[Mark Perry]

What age group are you working with? Sounds like a good program.

10-12yr olds

We use extra PT/pushups etc as corrective actions but we are all required to do the same exercises when they get in trouble too. The parents all thank us for tiring them out when they pick them up every afternoon....little do they know we are usually wore out as well. It probably sounds a whole lot stricter than it is but reality is we rarely have even a slightest issue with any of these kids. We end each day with some type of team relay fun time that usually involves getting soaking wet. That is the one time of day they get to pay us back and we are fair game in water fights etc. The laughter is so fun to hear and see. Good times.

[edwonbass]

Right on man! Very cool.

[yanknbass]

[TMG]

Great job

[humanseine]

[jedwards]

[sdbrison]

Good Stuff

[grandbassslayer]

My kid is 5, I think he would be a perfect canditate!!!

[wildturkey]

That is great. Never heard of that. Thanks.

[Bassmeister]

[n2ratfishin]

While not quite as rigid my wife puts together a young ladies leadership camp here. The week long camp wraps up today. All the young ladies are upcoming 6th-8th graders. Successful women from the area come and do projects with them all week. Yesterday they spent some time with the University ARMY ROTC navigating mock fields of land mines blindfolded with the help of their teammates. Of course the teams have to choose a leader. The girls a naturally age out of the camp.

Mark, you and the firefighters are promoting a bunch of great qualities.

Makes one wonder how many fantastic camps are going on each summer filled with America’s youth being run by people who dedicate countless hours all year to make sure they run smooth. It’s all worth it, those young people are our future.

[kadas]