Camp 85 Returns to Blandford-Blenheim

Now Playing

Tuesday, 24 March 2026 16:37

Photo Credit - Blandford-Blenheim Township

The 4th annual Camp 85 will be held this summer in Blandford-Blenheim, with girls aged 14 to 18 eligible to attend.

BLANDFORD-BLENHEIM - Camp 85 returns to Blandford-Blenheim.

The Blandford-Blenheim Fire Department hosts the Camp every year. Director of Protective Services with the Township, Drew Davidson, explains what the program is.

"So, this is our fourth year of running the camp, and it's designed so that you experience what it's like to be a firefighter in the volunteer world."

Davidson says that during the Camp they bring in the OPP and EMS to help with hands-on demonstrations and give presentations. He adds this year's Camp is for females aged 14 to 18, and each year they rotate between males and females. Davidson mentions where interested participants can find more information.

"We have a mandatory information night that they need to attend, and that's Thursday, April the 2nd at 6:30 at our Plattsville Fire Station."

Davidson says the session will feature a question-and-answer period, some hands-on demonstrations, and will be the spot where applications can be picked up. He also talks about the day-to-day operation of the Camp.

"So, our camp this year runs from July 7th to the 11th. We have four fire stations in Blanford-Blenheim Township, and each day is at a different station."

Davidson talks about what day one of the Camp will feature.

"The first day is in Plattsville, where there are fire streams, so the fire hoses, extinguishers, anything to do with hoses and that kind of idea."

He moves on to discuss what the participants will experience during day two.

"The second day is at our Bright location, which is station 84, and it is all to do with forceful entry and roof ventilation. That's when OPP and EMS will join us that day."

Davidson says day three is one of the most exciting days of the Camp.

"Our third day is at our Drumbo station, Station 82, which is Auto X Day, and that's one of the highlights I know for a lot of the people involved, where they get to actually use the jaws of life and break a car window when they're allowed to type of idea."

Moving to day four, Davidson talks about what will happen.

"On Friday, it's in Princeton, which is station 81. And that day they'll be putting on air packs and learning what it's like to go into a structure that could possibly be full of smoke, and that type of idea."

Lastly, Davidson says how the Camp will end for all of the participants.

"Then we wrap it all up on the Saturday morning with a graduation that family, friends and the community are invited to come out to and celebrate their accomplishments that these young people have learned over the course of the week. And each station is numbered starting at 81, 82, 83 and 84. And naturally, everyone coming together and working for one common goal, that is why it's called Camp 85."

He goes on to say the Camp is completely free of charge for the participants, thanks to generous community sponsors. The participants only have to supply safety shoes, and everything else will be supplied for them, including their meals.