A groundbreaking program in Nova Scotia that has been breaking barriers for young women and gender-diverse youth in emergency services is celebrating a major milestone this year. Camp Courage, dedicated to encouraging participants to explore careers in firefighting and other first responder roles, has officially reached its 20th anniversary.
Impressive Success Rate for Participants
The program has demonstrated remarkable results over the past two decades. According to founder and executive director Andréa Speranza, more than 36 percent of camp participants go on to work in emergency services careers. What makes this statistic even more impressive is that many of these individuals remain in the industry long-term, building lasting careers as first responders.
Speranza attributes much of this success to the support network the camp creates. She explains that participants gain an entire family of supporters who provide mentorship and guidance. Having someone to ask questions and receive advice from makes a significant difference in helping young people navigate their career paths in these demanding fields.
Hands-On Experience Inspires Future Firefighters
For participants like Kinleigh MacDougall, Camp Courage represents the perfect opportunity to pursue a lifelong dream. MacDougall, who has always aspired to become a firefighter, says the program allowed her to see how everything works in the profession firsthand. Another camper, Ruhab Sandhu, shared that the experience taught her to push herself to her fullest potential, something she had not always experienced elsewhere.
Through education, empowerment, and hands-on experiences, Camp Courage continues to show young people that anything is possible in emergency services. Looking ahead, Speranza has ambitious plans to expand the program nationally, bringing these life-changing opportunities to youth across Canada.
