Redwood Meadows Emergency Services (RMES) will be running its summer Fire Cadet Camp for the second year in a row.
The camp is an opportunity for teens between the ages of 14 -17 to experience what it’s like to be a firefighter from the experts themselves.
The first session will run July 14 – 18 and the second Aug. 11 - 15. There are 12 spots per camp and registration is $300.
During the week, attendees are trained in a number of firefighting skills, including search and rescue, CPR and leadership.
“They have so much energy and they are so excited about it,” said camp coordinator Captain Gary Robertson referring to last year’s camps. “By the end of the week we’re exhausted because they have a lot of energy, but we also feel really recharge because they are just so positive about everything.”
Robertson said the first year was kind of a “pilot project” and that both sessions were half full. He said this year they have seen a 75 per cent increase in attendance with the July and August camps nearly full.
This year Robertson said they have seven kids who attended last year that are returning, so they will have a level two camp during the August session, where they will get to learn more advanced skills.
Robertson, who grew up in the community, said there wasn’t a lot offered for anyone over 13 for programs during the summer and there still isn’t.
He said that teens might end up getting into mischief, not necessarily out of intent, but boredom.
“They are an important demographic of society because they are the next progression to adults,” he said. “We wanted to have an opportunity to be able to hopefully set some good examples and give them some good life skills.”
There are still a few spots left for the camp, so those wanting to register can visit the Redwood Meadows Emergency Services website at rmesfire.org/firecadetcamp.
