Camp Fury Chesapeake

Last week, 26 Girl Scouts were issued turnout gear, helmets, gloves and safety glasses at the Chesapeake Fire Department Central Supply Warehouse. The girls prepared to spend the week taking part in Camp Fury Chesapeake, a firefighting and emergency preparedness camp hosted by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and the Chesapeake Fire Department.

Girls started on Monday with physical training and moved into groups for a day full of firefighting training. This group of leaders completed an aerial climb, forcible entry drills and learned how to use a fire hose. As the week progressed, campers learned from female firefighters and law enforcement personnel exactly what it takes to keep the community safe. From rappelling at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center to using the Jaws of Life to remove doors, roofs and dashboards from cars, Camp Fury Chesapeake campers demonstrated courage, confidence and character in all of their activities.  

Girl Scout Cadette Abigail Turner gained life skills and learned firsthand how Camp Fury benefits girls.

“I think it’s important for girls to come here (to camp) because you’re going out of your comfort zone,” she said during a vehicle extrication exercise.

In addition to the firefighting experiences they had during the week, the girls learned about other nontraditional careers for women and met women who work in those fields. A female NASA engineer spoke to the girls about her experiences in the field of aeronautical engineering. During the week, the girls also toured the emergency department at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and learned defensive tactics with the Chesapeake Police Department.

Camp Fury exposes girls to careers they may not have considered before coming to camp. For Girl Scout Cadette Monica Reale, she learned more about things that she is certain will help her in the future.

“I think a lot of the things I’ve learned here will help me a lot in my future like CPR,” Monica said.

This is the third year that Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and the Chesapeake Fire Department have partnered to host Camp Fury. The concept of Camp Fury originated in Arizona, and Chesapeake Firefighter Paramedic Mandy George brought the camp to Chesapeake after volunteering at Camp Fury Hampton for a couple of years.

Click here to view more photos. To watch a recap of the week, click here.