Eleven female and gender-diverse youth between the ages of 15-19 from across Canada will take part in an interactive training camp in Saint John today.

It’s all a part of Camp Courage,  which encourages a look into first-response careers including police officer, firefighter and paramedic.

Today is the final day of a four-day camp that was held from August 28 to 31, and it is the first time it has ever been done in New Brunswick.

Saint John Fire Department Spokesperson Leah Robichaud says it’s a first for the camp in the province.  She says during recruitment last year, they had low female numbers, “It is to give them an opportunity to experience this firsthand before committing to going off to school. They’ll have the opportunity to experience not just fire but also police and paramedic careers as well.”

She is hoping Camp Courage will return to New Brunswick in the future, and be held in different communities.

On the final day of the camp, they’ll take part in a final exercise where participants perform various First Responder roles to respond to a simulated impaired driver scenario and multi-vehicle accident.

Camp Courage was established in 2006 in Nova Scotia and has since expanded to Calgary and Indigenous camp chapters. A partnership between Saint John Fire, Saint John Police and Ambulance NB was able to bring Camp Courage to New Brunswick for the first time. In addition to providing a glimpse into careers in First Response, the camp aims to provide information, inspiration, education, and empowerment, leaving youth with the confidence to achieve any goal, career, or dream they desire.

To learn more about Camp Courage, visit https://campcourage.ca/