Serious Skills and Fun at Camp Fury
Breaking down barriers while having fun? That’s the Girl Scout way. This past summer at Camp Fury Chesapeake, 12 teen Girl Scouts engaged in a variety of hands-on activities tailored to develop critical skills for firefighting, rescue, and law enforcement. Camp Fury is an exciting and immersive five-day summer camp experience designed to give young aspiring first responders a taste of real-life emergency scenarios.
On the first day, Girl Scouts were issued uniforms and the other safety gear needed for the program. This year, GSCCC was able to purchase new uniforms for Camp Fury after receiving a $1,000 gift in memory of Ilene Myers Kiphart, who donated funds towards the uniforms in memory of her son, Captain Herbie Myers who passed away in 2023. Mrs. Kiphart was a long-time Girl Scout alum who valued programs where girls learn that they can accomplish anything they envision. She wanted girls to have more interest in non-traditional careers, like firefighting.
Each day at Camp Fury Chesapeake introduced new challenges and encouraged participants to build confidence and problem-solving skills in dynamic environments. Activities ranged from forcible entry and search and rescue exercises to a station tour and CPR training, which helped participants to understand the complexities of fire and rescue training and day-to-day operations. Throughout the week, the group navigated through confined spaces, toured a fire engine, practiced knot tying, and learned mechanical advantage techniques, all skills vital for rescue operations. The Girl Scouts were all excited to overcome fears during ladder climbing at Fire Station 10 in Chesapeake.
On Thursday, additional activities took place at the Chesapeake City Police Training Academy. Girl Scouts practiced self-defense and had gun safety training and range sessions. An agility course helped to emphasize the teamwork, safety, and physical fitness it takes to succeed in law enforcement. Another crowd-pleasing activity was the K9 demonstration with Officer Duncan of Chesapeake City Police Department and 4-year-old police dog Boss. The pair showcased the incredible capabilities of law enforcement dogs in tracking and apprehending suspects.
Captain Charlene Beach of Chesapeake City Fire and Rescue has been in fire and rescue for 19 years, and a key organizer of Camp Fury in Chesapeake, “Girls need women mentors to show them the ropes, to show them how they excel, to show them how they succeed, and to learn about adversity. When they find out what they’re really made of and when they push themselves, it’s unreal.”
Learning under women in law enforcement highlights the importance of diversity and representation in emergency services. Women who serve as officers and in other law enforcement roles bring unique perspectives and leadership qualities to their communities. Camps Fury proves the importance of encouraging Girl Scouts to pursue careers in male-dominated fields by breaking down gender stereotypes and promoting inclusivity.
In addition to lending their time and expertise to our Camp Fury program each summer, Chesapeake Police also offer fun programs throughout the year for Girl Scouts of all ages — and they sell out fast! (Pictured here are representatives from Chesapeake’s K9 unit, who recently attended an event at A Place for Girls.)
GSCCC values community partnerships like these, which provide such valuable and unique experiences for Girl Scouts, and we look forward to another great Camp Fury session in the summer of 2026.
