Garden Spot Fire Rescue (GSFR) is taking a proactive approach to the future of local firefighting. The organization's Cadet Camp does not compel teens and tweens to become first responders; it inspires them to.

"(Firefighters are) something that's going to continue to be a need," said Cody Straub, GSFR's assistant chief, who organizes Cadet Camp. "We are very blessed in eastern Lancaster County with the amount of volunteers we have. Not all parts of the county can say that."

"We'd rather be proactive with volunteer firefighters, keep replenishing our supply," he added. "The idea is that, when kids turn 14, they can join GSFR as a junior member."

Recently, GSFR conducted the sixth edition of its annual weeklong Cadet Camp at its 339 E. Main St., New Holland, headquarters. The participants worked hard every day, experienced firsthand the first responder and firefighting lifestyle and learned a little about themselves.

"This camp is a unique opportunity for kids," said Straub. "I tell parents, 'Your kids are going to be doing things most 10- to 14-year-olds never would have thought about doing. We're going to push them to meet new challenges.' Every year, kids have a blast, they're exhausted, but they come together as a team. It's cool to see."

Among the lessons and skills learned at Cadet Camp were the utilization of gear and apparatus, the basics of firefighting, search and rescue skills, pulling hose, forceful entry, throwing ladders, setting up fire hydrants, water spraying techniques, an obstacle course, and cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The campers ate lunch together each day, and at the end of the week they displayed the skills they had learned for a gathering of parents and friends.

"It's hard work," said Straub, a resident of East Earl Township. "We put kids through a lot of stuff and scenarios. It's training. Everybody had this determination. That excitement never went away. That excitement carried us through the week.

"We're trying to give kids a chance to experience firefighting, with the hope that they will sometime join," Straub continued. "It's teaching kids to give back to the community, work as a team and face challenges."

Around 25 kids attended Cadet Camp. Most of them were from the Garden Spot area, but some reside in Millersville, Gap and communities outside of Lancaster County.

"A lot of the kids have ties to the fire service," said Straub. "Some of the kids saw flyers at school or on Facebook and just wanted to try it. It was the first time they ever thought about this."

Cadet Camp was staffed daily by more than 15 instructors - GSFR members and firefighters from neighboring firehouses. Also assisting with instruction were officers from area police and law enforcement departments and first responders from local emergency medical service agencies.

"When we first created the camp, we wanted to make it unique," said Straub. "We didn't want to just show kids. We build all these things out. They're doing everything but going into a burning building and putting a fire out."

In addition to 339 E. Main St., GSFR operates stations at 624 W. Main St., New Holland, and at 4305 Division Highway, Blue Ball. About 75 active members are a part of GSFR's operations.

For additional information, go to https://gsfr39.net.