Campers compete to move the tank with the fire hose during Day Two of Camp Hero.

Text and Photos
By Madison Hart
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Camp Hero’s ‘firefighter day’ returned for the sixth year in a row as an opportunity for elementary school children to learn about teamwork, safety and first responders skills on Wednesday, July 31.

“Every year it’s grown more. This year we’re just shy of 200 kids. Next year I bet it will blow up even more,” said Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Sgt. Doug Light.

Day Two of Camp Hero highlighted county firefighters with activities such as a demonstration of evacuating a smoke-filled house, extrication from a ‘crashed’ car, completing an obstacle course while carrying a dummy, competing in a bucket brigade relay and more.

“What’s really been nice is partnering with the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds. It gives us so much space … We have access to all the buildings, all the grounds,” said Light. “The community makes this happen — their support. Businesses that jump in, whether monetarily or with their services. That’s how we keep camp free. The fairgrounds have been so gracious.”

Access to the fairgrounds’ grand stands and lake allowed the campers to view a mock crash and rescue and recovery dive demo. Other Day Two activities included a ladder demo, tug o’ war, a tech rescue and fire safety.

Team building, First Aid and CPR are some of the skills that the kids will gain by the end of the camp.

“Even if you look at the tech rescue, it’s all about teamwork. They have a lot of weight in that little basket. But showing them how to use ropes and pulleys and each other, they can move something a lot bigger than themselves,” said Light.

First responders from the county and surrounding areas volunteered their time for this free summer camp, including the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Warsaw Police Department, Pierceton PD, Syracuse PD, Mentone PD, Indiana State Police, DNR, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory, Noble Township Fire Department, Milford Fire Department, Winona Lake Fire Department and more. According to Light, there were over 80 volunteers, which also included individuals from the private sector helping keep the kids hydrated.

Camp Hero’s Day One events were centered around EMS services. Day Three’s activities will focus on police services such as SWAT team, bomb squad and more.

“This is kind of a last hurrah before they go back to school,” said Light.

There will be a graduation followed by a barbecue for the families of the campers on Aug. 1.