You don't really know if you like something unless you try it. You don't really know what something is like until you give it a chance.

Cadet Camp provides kids with an in-depth, hands-on glimpse into the professional portion of a first responder's lifestyle.

"We hope kids want to come out and learn about first responders," said Kim Herskowitz, Cadet Camp's coordinator. "It gives them an opportunity to get a little taste of it. It's an opportunity to try some things they wouldn't be able to try every day. Maybe we can get these kids to consider it as a career path. It's about connecting with them while they're young and seeing if they have an interest. It's just kind of letting them know what's out there."

The fifth edition of Lafayette Fire Company's annual Cadet Camp will be conducted over two days, from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, and from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 63 Lafayette Way, Lancaster. Cadet Camp is designed for kids ages 8 to 14 who reside in Lancaster County.

There is a fee involved with registering for Cadet Camp, but there are also scholarships available to defray costs. To register, go to http://www.lafayettefire.com/cadetcamp before Tuesday, July 22.

"We respond to so many different kinds of calls," said Herskowitz. "It's not like a single service anymore. We're constantly being relied on by the community, and things have only gotten busier. All these first responders make such an impact in their communities. The public expects a lot of us, and we want to be ready."

Cadet Camp teaches through a series of skills stations that participants rotate through - six on Friday night and 10 on Saturday. Each skills station is manned by multiple instructors, and this year campers will learn about hose lines, search techniques, campfire and home fire safety, equipment, cribbing and stabilization, communication and washing apparatus.

Cadet Camp, which is STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) based, also features an obstacle course, tours of first-responder apparatus, an awards ceremony, a demonstration of skills for parents and a cookout. Each camper will be outfitted with his or her own personal protective equipment.

"We get a lot of kids who have someone in their families who are first responders," said Herskowitz. "It's for anyone who has a general interest. We try to make it so broad that it's interesting to everyone. It's for everyone interested in first responding."

In addition to volunteer members of Lafayette Fire Company, officers from local police departments and medical personnel from local emergency service teams will be on hand to impart knowledge from their particular areas of expertise. It takes nearly 50 instructors to operate Cadet Camp.

"Some of the instruction is based more on the soft skills," said Herskowitz. "They're skills that can be applied to almost any job and skills that you can apply in school. They're skills employers say they're looking for. (Participants are) gaining skills that are going to benefit them. We want to build those out and be able to work as a team. We're looking for kids who show leadership skills and who are able to interact with each other. They have to rely on each other just like we as emergency responders have to when we're out on a call."

Lafayette Fire Company, which was formed in 1943, is made up and maintained by the work of 80 volunteers - firefighters, drivers, helpers, support staff and administrative personnel. In 2024, the fire company responded to 615 service calls of varying natures.

"It's hard these days," said Herskowitz. "Volunteerism is definitely on the decline. People are being pulled in different directions. It takes a dedicated individual with a certain mindset."