You really don’t know what you’re capable of until you’ve charged into a burning building to knock down a fire.
That’s the spirit behind Camp Ignite, a four-day camp Lower Mainland fire departments are putting on for girls, aged 16 to 18.
Though they’ll be getting four intense days of hands-on experience training in things on a typical firefighter’s agenda like CPR, high-angle rescues, hazardous materials, auto extrication and a live fire exercise, the camp’s real aim is to develop teamwork and leadership qualities that will serve the young women no matter where they choose to take their lives.
“The idea is that we are providing up to up to 20 teenage girls the opportunity to explore unique challenges, to learn more about where their limits are, to learn new skills, to strengthen their self-esteem. We’re giving them exposure to strong female role models,” said Cpt. Haida Siegmann, a North Vancouver City Fire Department fire prevention officer and one of the organizers of Camp Ignite. “We’re hoping that, as a result of going through this process … that they’re going to come away from camp feeling like they can do anything they want to do.”
Siegmann said she’s seen numerous girls come out of their shells and overcome fears thanks to the encouragement and mentorship they get while at Camp Ignite, now in its sixth year.
“It’s very, very obvious in some of the girls,” she said.
There’s also some hope the camp will be a catalyst to inspire the young women to consider a career in firefighting. Currently there are only about 80 women working with fire departments across B.C.
The three North Shore fire departments are sponsoring up to three local teens to attend Camp Ignite, which runs Aug. 11 to 14 at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby.
While admission is free, the would-be firefighters are expected to write a 500-word essay describing a person they admire.
Applications forms are available at campignite.com and should be emailed to Siegmann at [email protected] as soon as possible.
The cut-off date is June 15.
