Each summer, the PA State Police run an admirable program known as Camp Cadet and once again the West Grove Fire Company participated at the program in our area. The Troop J Camp was held recently at Camp Saginaw near New London, and includes participants from Chester County and portions of nearby Lancaster County. Nearly 90 cadets participated this summer.

Camp Cadet is a summer camp for boys and girls from Pennsylvania between the ages of 12 to 15. (Chester County Camp Cadet program accepts 11 - 13 year old boys and girls) The camp is held at various locations throughout the State and staffed by Troopers, local police officers and many other volunteers. The goal of Camp Cadet is to introduce participants to the diverse criminal justice system and establish a positive relationship with law enforcement personnel.

Camp Cadet is open to all youth and is structured similar to training at the Police Academy. All participants who attend Camp Cadet are addressed as “Cadet” during the week. Cadets are required to participate in all scheduled events. The camp focuses on discipline, self-esteem, teamwork, drug and alcohol education, violence prevention and many other issues facing today’s youth.

West Grove Fire Company members assist State Police troopers in providing hands on CPR instruction and demonstrations of fire fighting equipment. This year, WGFC also conducted a vehicle rescue demonstration, using rescue tools -- commonly referred to the "Jaws of Life" -- to cut open a car, as well as instruction on using a fire extinguisher, how to do hands-only CPR, and how to assist when someone is choking. This year, on arrival day, WGFC firefighters met the campers and showed them the apparatus. Ladder 22 and Rescue 22 were there as well as Chester County Hazmat Station 15 and the Comm1 unit for the county.

Camp Cadet is a non-profit organization. Meals, lodging and programs are provided at no cost to the applicant. Camps are usually funded by various fund raisers and business and community donations. For more information on the PA State Police Camp Cadet program see: https://www.psp.pa.gov/public-safety/Pages/Camp-Cadet-Summer-Program.aspx and http://www.cccampcadet.org/ .

The West Grove Fire Company has a close working relationship with troopers of the State Police. We congratulate them on this impressive youth program, and thank them for involving the fire company again this year