In Nelsonville, Ohio, 52 teenagers got to live the life of a firefighter for a week. The teens, all between ages 14-18, traveled to Hocking College for the Ohio Youth Fire and EMS Training Academy. This year, 19 of the camp's participants are returnees. For seven days, the young men and women pushed themselves to their physical limits as they handled the fire hose and practiced search and rescue missions. They also ran drills in full fire gear, which can add up to 50 pounds to a person's body.
The camp is not just about fighting fire, however. It is a place where young adults can learn teamwork and service.
"What we do on fire grounds, and EMS too, is collaboration communication. We're working together as a team and functioning as one," said April McComb, the camp's registered nurse.
Many of the campers have plans to pursue careers as first responders and serve their communities. In fact, Jacob Brammer, one of the camp's veterans, was recently certified to be a volunteer firefighter in his community. Ohio Youth Fire and EMS Training Academy offers scholarships to any interested prospective campers and is only one of many youth-geared first responder training camps in the country.