Mother Nature wasn’t the only one heating things up this past week. The Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri paired up with local female first responders to host the 6th annual Camp Fury STL. Strong and determined young women spent their days at the St. Louis County Police and Fire Academy in Wellston, MO, where they joined the ranks of local firefighters and law enforcement personnel to learn how they ensure public safety in our communities.
Camp Fury is an immersive experience. Throughout the week, girls practice search-and-rescue skills, learn crime scene investigation tactics, and complete confidence boosting and adrenaline-pumping activities like an aerial climb, rappelling, canine tracking and extinguishing live fire.
During this six-day, five-night resident camp, Girl Scouts train alongside female firefighters and law enforcement personnel to learn firefighting and EMS skills, practice defensive tactics and develop investigative abilities. They are mentored by remarkable women who are breaking down barriers and stereotypes in what has traditionally been male-dominated career fields. Throughout this intense week, girls grow even more courageous, strong, confident and capable, ready to become our change-makers for tomorrow, and role models for their fellow Girl Scouts.
Among the multi-talented staff of volunteer camp couselors this week were Pattonville’s own Paramedic/Firefighters Jessica Louder & Julia Lee, Paramedic/Engineer Mary Jane Aydelott and Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Laurie Licavoli. We are very proud of our female Paramedic/Firefighters doing Whatever It Takes to inspire and educate the next generation of first responders.
Local media outlets provided coverage of the Camp Fury STL experience amid the intense heat over the past few days. The links to their news spots are as follows:
Fox 2 Now > St. Louis summer camp inspires girls to become first responders.
KMOV 4 > Extreme heat forcing summer camps to alter outdoor activities to keep campers safe
KSDK 5 > Welcome to Camp Fury: All-girl firefighter camp brings the heat
Arguably the best first-hand depiction of the week’s excitement was captured by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri and posted on their Facebook page.
The young women in our community interested in a career as a first responder should mark their calendars - the dates for next year’s Camp Fury STL are set for June 18-23, 2023.