SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — On a rainy Friday at the Lehigh County sports fields, children donned firefighter gear and ran through an obstacle course.
They sprayed fire hoses, retrieved a mannequin from a “smoky” room — with water vapor instead of real smoke — and practiced performing CPR.
- This week was the South Whitehall Township Emergency Services Youth Camp
- The camp teaches ages 12 to 16 the basics of emergency services
- Attendees learn skills such as CPR, First Aid, vehicle extrication and water rescue
The event was the culmination of a week of training through the South Whitehall Township Emergency Services Youth Camp, a free camp at Cetronia Ambulance Corps headquarters that teaches ages 12 to 16 the basics of emergency services.
“We teach the youth what emergency services are about, how we're there to help them and that they can actually be part of that and help others, as well,” Cetronia Ambulance Corps Director of Education Mike LaPearl said.
Attendees were taught a variety of new skills, such as CPR, First Aid, vehicle extrication and water rescue. Cetronia Ambulance Corps collaborated with other emergency service providers to put on demonstrations and other activities.
Camp attendee Jackson Deily said his favorite part of the week was getting a tour of a fire truck, riding in the extending ladder and shooting water out of a fire hose.
“I think I want to be a firefighter,” Jackson said.
Attendee Chloe Henry said she decided to come to camp because many of her family members work in the medical field, and she may want to work as an EMT one day. She said her favorite part was learning CPR and other emergency medical skills.
“I liked learning… the stuff you have to do to save a human’s life,” Chloe said.
“Everything that we've taught them throughout the course of the week, they can transition into their life."Cetronia Ambulance Corps Assistant Director of Operations Jason Carita
Cetronia Ambulance Corps Assistant Director of Operations Jason Carita said the camp teaches skills that are useful to all kids, regardless of whether they go into emergency services.
“Everything that we've taught them throughout the course of the week, they can transition into their life,” Carita said.
The camp will run again next June. It is open to ages 12 to 16, regardless of where they live.
