Experience Camp Courage

The First Responders Society is an incorporated non-profit company established by firefighter, Andréa Speranza, in January 2006, for the purpose of introducing young women aged 15- 19 to careers as first responders primarily paramedics, police officers, and firefighters.

The ultimate goal is that the young women will leave with a sense of empowerment and the confidence to believe that they can achieve any goal, career or dream they desire.

You have what it takes, join us in 2017 for the experience of your life!

July 9th to July 16th!

Mission

Introduce young females to the emergency services, while developing their confidence, leadership skills and problem solving abilities.

Read the testimonials, check out our wall of fame success stories, and check out our videos (including our promotional video and mini series) to see for yourself that Camp Courage is an experience of a lifetime!

Goals and Objectives

The primary purpose of the camp is to introduce young women to careers as first responders.  The camp will aim to provide information, inspiration, education and opportunities to experience the physical demands, thereby allowing a more accurate perception of what it takes to act in these roles. The ultimate goal is that young women will leave with a sense of empowerment and the confidence to believe that they can achieve any goal, career or dream they desire.

How to Apply

The camp is 100% free. In order to be accepted into camp you must write an essay on one of two topics; how you can improve someone else’s life that is less fortunate, or how you can improve your Community. Instead of paying cash, you have to do what you’ve proposed in your essay. The only limitation is your imagination.

This illustrates how hard work creates opportunities. It teaches to be thankful for what you have and to respect others that have less, It teaches the value of helping others.

Camp Courage accepts only 24 participants each year, and entrance essays are due March 31st!

Click here to apply

Note: as a result of high costs and difficulty raising funds, the camp is now being offered every two years. The camp will operate in 2017, 2019, 2021, etc. To make a donation to Camp Courage, please click here.

Join the Camp Courage Team
We are looking for an Administrative Assistant, an Assistant Cook, and Fundraiser Volunteers. Please contact us for more information.

The Andrew Bednarz Firefighting School Bursary

Andrew Bednarz started his career as in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1991-1997. He became a member of the Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Service Department in 1997. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2008, Training Officer in 2009, Captain in 2010 and Divisional Commander in 2013. Andrew passed away on December 4th, 2015 at the young age of 46. He was well respected and liked by everyone. To ensure his memory lives on, we fund-raise monies that will be awarded as a $500 bursary(s) to Camp Courage graduates who pursue high educational opportunities in the field of firefighting.

This bursary is implemented so Andrew’s name and spirit will live on through inspiring the camp graduates towards the profession he loved so very much, firefighting. 

A fire helmet decal will be given in response to the donation. We won’t ask a specific amount but we will remind people that income tax receipts will be provided for amounts of $10 and over. Win-win for everyone. 

100% of the proceeds will go to a bursary in Andrew’s name to a camp graduate who will be attending a firefighting educational facility. All past graduates will be eligible, and each candidate can only get the bursary once.   One bursary will be given for every $500 that is collected to provide this wonderful, inspiring opportunity to other individuals. 

We will accept cash and cheques in person, as well as, e-transfers, PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, American express, Discover credit cards on line www.campcourage.ca.  Cheques are written to Camp Courage, The First Responder’s Society.

If you have any questions please contact Andréa at 902-488-1188.

Click here to apply