The Kosciusko County Sheriff Office’s Camp HERO 2023 kicked off on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds. Wednesday’s theme was focused on EMS. Here, Lutheran EMS EMT Ana Hoffer shows campers how to perform CPR.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — An annual event to teach kids about the roles of first responders returned on Wednesday, Aug. 2.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office’s Camp HERO 2023 kicked off then at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

Around 140 campers ages 8-13 are learning about EMS, firefighters and police over the three days of the camp.

Wednesday’s theme was EMS. Campers got to see a Lutheran Air helicopter and ambulance up close, made personal first aid kits and practiced CPR and putting on tourniquets.

New this year, kids also learned about bicycle safety, including making sure tires are properly inflated and correctly signaling turns. Each camper was set to go home with a bicycle helmet.

Early on Wednesday, campers learned about K-9s.

“We had several different breeds of dogs that are trained in a lot of different fields, so we had anything from arson dogs to the typical dual-purpose canines, tracking dogs to cadaver dogs,” said KCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Doug Light.

He said Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy Shaun Mudd volunteered to put on a special protective suit for the dogs to show off discipline techniques.

Light said the KCSO was grateful to those in charge of the fairgrounds for allowing the camp to happen there.

“It’s been great. It’s a ton of space and plenty of buildings, so we’re really thankful,” said Light, adding the new location helps get some kids to attend camp who may not have been able to otherwise.

There’s around 60-70 volunteers helping with Camp HERO, including 40 who will be at camp all three days, said Light.

The camp is also free this year for kids, with Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith earlier mentioning that was important to him.

That was made possible by various sponsors in the area.

“We live in a great community. We had so many people reach out to us and want to contribute, so that’s what it’s all about: our county and community coming together and giving these campers the best three days,” said Light.

Victoria Vuittonet practices CPR on a dummy.

Lutheran EMS paramedic Rebecca Maag, left, shows Robert Navarro, center, and Evan Wolfe how to help a choking infant using baby dolls.

Campers learn about Kosciusko County Dispatch from left: Dispatchers Jessica Scheil and Cal Fancil, Assistant Director of 911 Operations Tami Brooks and dispatcher Heather McGuire.

Campers Joseph Burns, center, and Noah Carpenter, right, work on making first aid kits as Lutheran EMS paramedic Brooklyn Jackson stands by.

Lutheran EMS EMTB Tony Shumaker, standing in the back, talks with campers while they are inside an ambulance.

Christobal Vuittonet, left, and Derrick Penn, center, check out a Lutheran Air helicopter as Lutheran Flight Nurse Sara Zook stands by.

While learning about bicycle safety, campers engage in a game of Simon Says to practice signaling turns and such.

After learning about the importance of properly inflated tires for bicycle safety, campers participated in a contest blowing up balloons using pumps. From left: Warsaw Police Officer Sam Bohnke, Eleanor Henderson, Brycen Wallace and Warsaw Police Officer Ryan Piper.

Vincent Alcala, left, practices putting a tourniquet on Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Deputy Elizabeth Johnson.