Fire school to host emergency services camp for girls Aug. 10-12
The Delaware State Fire School will host 60 girls ages 13-17 from around the region for its second annual Camp Fury Delaware from Friday to Sunday, Aug. 10 to 12. Camp Fury began 10 years ago in Tucson, Ariz., and was adopted last summer in Delaware.
In 2017, CFD hosted 42 campers and 40 staff members for an unforgettable weekend of learning and gaining friendships. Though Camp Fury remains a shared name and a similar foundation with friends in Arizona, Camp Fury Delaware has expanded beyond a focus of firefighting activities.
CFD has adapted the original 2-day, day-camp format to a 3-day, 2-night camp to involve many more areas of emergency service activities, exposing the young campers to other related career pathways that could quickly become their singular passions.
A well-rounded team of female staff members comes from a variety of emergency response-based professions around the state, including representation from emergency medical services, law enforcement, emergency management, hazmat technicians, Department of Correction, firefighters (career and volunteer), fire marshals, the National Guard and armed forces. Dedicated and professional staff will hold discussions with campers and train them in new directions as they experience hands-on application through numerous activities. These young women will gain self-confidence and leadership skills, as they meet others with similar interests focused in the field of emergency response.
Camp organizer Sarah Davis Highberger said, “While we continue to encourage young women to challenge themselves and each other, we provide a safe and supportive environment to inspire having fun through a high-energy, exciting weekend. We love that Camp Fury Delaware is a nontraditional summer camp, and thankfully, holding nontraditional careers is what we do best!”
Highberger and her team are aware that not every camper may grow up to pursue an emergency services career. Still, she said, “The underlying values embraced at camp are to always encourage campers to do their best, try their hardest and never give up on their goals.”
Camp has already become so popular in Delaware that the 60-camper limit was met almost two months before the final application deadline. Applications will continue to be accepted for a waiting list.
For more information, email CampFuryDelaware@gmail.com or call 302-650-7336.
