Does your child aspire to be a firefighter or simply enjoy pretending to be one? Do they love to see the firefighters in their gear or wave at the fire trucks as they go by? One of the best camps my son has ever attended was the Carmel Fire Department Summer Camp, Firefighter for a Day, put on by real firefighters! It is a full day of exciting games and thrilling missions. And it’s FREE!
The annual Carmel Fire Department Summer Camp, Firefighter for a Day, is the perfect one-day event for your child. This free camp in Carmel is open to kids ages 7-12. Kids get to experience what it’s like to be a firefighter and play a lot of really fun games. Not only is camp free, but it also includes lunch and a t-shirt for each child!
Carmel Fire Department Summer Camp
Every year, the wonderful Carmel Firefighters host the Carmel Fire Department Summer Camp, Firefighter for a Day. This free camp hits its registration capacity in just a couple of hours. They open registration to Carmel residents first, then they open to everyone. They have multiple days so as many kids can get a chance to attend as possible, but you only sign up for one day. When the registration date is announced, mark your calendars, set an alarm, and tell your friends.
Thank you to all of the off-duty firefighters and their families, as well as the sponsors, for this amazing FREE camp.
2024 Firefighter For A Day Camp
Details are coming soon. Generally, camp registration opens in early May. Be sure to follow the Carmel Fire Department on Facebook for announcements regarding registration. As we said before, spots will fill up fast!
Firefighter for a Day Camp is a program designed for children to experience what it’s like to be a firefighter. There are hands-on activities at firefighter camp, such as learning how to use firefighting equipment, practicing firefighting techniques, and gaining knowledge about fire safety and prevention.
Carmel Fire Department Summer Camp: What to Expect
My son was lucky enough to be able to attend the Carmel Fire Department Summer Camp, Firefighter for a Day, for the last two years. He absolutely loves it and looks forward to it every year. It’s a full day of fun and adrenaline-pumping games and activities as the kids get to experience what firefighters do every day!
Registration
I am anxiously awaiting the announcement of the registration date so I can clear and mark my calendar! I’ve already cleared the week (June 18th week) so we won’t have any other camp conflicts. Once the registration is live (sometime in May), you’ve got to be ready to register as fast as you can. You can put down your preference for the day of the week and choose (or not choose) the lunch option.
Location
The Carmel Fire Department Summer Camp is held at Aletto Family Sports Center on the East side of Carmel off of Main Street. Previously, it had been held at a local elementary school and there was no rainy day option. The move to Aletto has been great so they don’t have to cancel in case of rain and the kids get some respite from the hot sun.
Hours
Firefighter for a Day Camp starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. Once you park, head to the check-in tent to get your child’s wristband. They’ll also give you a card which you must show for pickup. If someone else is picking up your child, give them the card or a photo of the card to show at pickup. Then walk inside and the firefighters will direct you to the first activity!
Lunch
Lunch is included for all campers! Local restaurants and grocery stores donate to the event. In the past, they’ve offered Chick-fil-A, a meal from Meijer, and pizza with other snacks and treats. The camp also includes a water bottle for all-day hydrating, so you are encouraged not to bring your own water bottle!
Activities
The activities are unlike any other you’d find at another camp. In the past, they’ve had kids in a smoking RV looking for a lost cat. Last year, they had to search in the dark, crawling around in a low tunnel tent, searching for objects. There are ladder races and obstacle courses. They let the kids put out “fires” with a real fire truck hose. Probably the most talked about activity is water ball. It’s basically a tug-of-war type game where two teams are each holding a fire truck hose trying to push a ball on a wire in the air toward their opponent’s side of the line. There’s lots of cheering and lots of wet kids during this activity!
Of course, there is also a lot of learning going on all day. Each activity and game can be a learning opportunity for children about fire safety. They’ll come home experts on fire safety and ready to draw up a family plan for the home.
Hosts
Firefighter for a Day is hosted by the Carmel Fire Department and run by former and current on- and off-duty firefighters. They do an amazing job from beginning to end and I can’t thank them enough for their work putting on this event. Check out more in Carmel and see everything Carmel has to offer this summer!
If you don’t get in, don’t worry! There are tons of other Indianapolis area summer camps to check out.
Don’t forget about all of the Touch-a-Truck events this summer for your vehicle-loving kids.
Find amazing events to fill your whole summer at Indy with Kids.
What are your favorite firefighter or fire truck-related activities? Share your best summer camp or fire truck pictures with us below or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!
