Sign Up Begins March 16: Free Blaze & Blue Career Camp for Young Women
Back for its fifth year, the Ann Arbor Fire and Police departments will host Blaze & Blue Career Camp — a free, four-day program in June for local young women ages 15–18 years old. Participants will experience challenging and exciting hands-on tasks in firefighting, first response and law enforcement, all in a supportive, educational setting.
Registration opens at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16. Space is limited, and this camp has filled quickly in previous years. The online signup form will open when registration begins.
The career camp will take place 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday, June 22–Thursday, June 25; full attendance at all four days is expected. Participants will train with Ann Arbor firefighters and Ann Arbor police, interacting with women who are first-responder professionals and are rising above barriers and stereotypes. Emphasis is placed on an encouraging, hands-on and interactive learning environment. Lunch is included daily, and participants will receive a complimentary Blaze & Blue t-shirt.
The camp offers a unique, insider view of what it’s like to work in police and fire services, with hopes of inspiring young women to pursue these career paths. For previous camp participants, the experience has done just that.
Haidyn, who attended Blaze & Blue Career Camp at 16 years old, notes she was nervous in the beginning. “It surprised me how comfortable I was with getting to know the firefighters, the other campers and the fire station," she recalls.
“I got to see more of the adventures and behind the scenes of these careers, and … it inspired me more to follow my dream,” said Arianna, a camper at age 15. Her favorite part of Blaze & Blue Career Camp was making unforgettable bonds and memories with the other campers and going on the K-9 track.
Grace, age 18 at the time, said she especially appreciated the hands-on and role-play experiences Blaze & Blue Career Camp provided. “[The program] builds a decent base for those interested and gives you tons of connections for support! "
Blaze & Blue Career Camp activities include:
- Vehicle extrication
- 100-foot aerial platform rides
- Rappelling
- Patrol and traffic stop scenarios
- Crime scene investigation
- Mugshots and fingerprints
- Simunitions exercises
- Static Taser deployment
- Alcohol impairment goggles
- Officer body cam reviews
“Blaze & Blue Camp provides an introduction to careers that are not often popular paths for women,” said Ann Arbor Police Officer Kasey Whitford. “Instead of just reading and watching videos, participants get an immersive experience, hands on, to learn what it’s like to be a first responder. Sessions are spent alongside women who are currently in policing and other first-responder roles, and they hear our stories firsthand.” Whitford notes the camp strives to balance education and fun and says each year, the camp gets better.
Ann Arbor Firefighter Tracey McCoy notes the benefits of Blaze & Blue also go beyond career goals. “Ultimately, campers are learning about themselves and their strengths,” she said. “This camp is a great way for girls in the area to discover opportunities while they actively build self-confidence, all with the support, guidance and encouragement from our camp instructors. Learning and interacting with real first responders just fosters a deeper connection.”
The camp will conclude with a certificate presentation ceremony.
Registration for 2026 Blaze & Blue Career Camp starts at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16, at https://aapd.a2gov.org/blazeandbluecamp. Questions may be emailed to cjackson@a2gov.org.
# # # # #
Media Contact:
Chantel Jackson, Ann Arbor Fire Department Office Manager, 734.794.6961, ext. 49000 | cjackson@a2gov.org