A unique camp is underway this week in Calgary.
The mission of Camp Courage is to introduce young women and gender diverse teens aged 15 to 19 to emergency services work while striving to nurture their confidence, leadership skills, and problem-solving abilities.
Spokesperson Naomi Nania says the main goal is to provide young women with insight into careers as first responders by offering information, inspiration, education, and hands-on experiences that accurately depicts the physical demands of these roles.
“It’s truly just to let these young women have a sense of empowerment and just confidence so that they can achieve that goal if they want to become someone in emergency services,” she said.
The camp runs through Sunday.
“The first day is really a fun day but we truly get them into the action,” Nania said. “So they have two days with police, two days, with fire, two days with EMS and then kind of a final graduation day where the girls are able to show off their new skills and the training that they have done as a team to their friends and family.”
Fifteen-year-old Sophie tells CityNews she is grateful for the opportunity to learn about what it takes to work in emergency services.
“I think getting a chance to experience each one, as in firefighter, EMS, and police is really a special thing and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said.
Core values of the camp include respect, responsibility, honesty, empathy, compassion, and a commitment to constant improvement, positive attitude, hard work, and courage.
Sophie says there’s been lots of things she has enjoyed about Camp Courage.
“Learning a bit more about the forensics and when we got to see the mounted unit because that is field that I do hope to go into some day. But, with the forensics part it was cool, because I have an interest in science.”
Ultimately, the aim is for participants to leave with a profound sense of empowerment and the confidence to pursue any career or dream they desire.