I had a hard time posting this opportunity, not because I don’t think its an excellent one, but because I know there will probably be backlash at my house. And I have a bad habit of trying to avoid conflict.

You see, I have a boy who wants to be a fire fighter.  REALLY wants to be a fire fighter, and it seems like every time he tells anyone he gets this response: “Its really hard to become a fire fighter”. Or “very few people ever get to be fire fighter” or “that is the most competitive job out there” or “you better have a back up plan”.  I wouldn’t stand for it if someone told my daughter she’d better have a back-up plan if she hopes to be an engineer.

So now you understand the sore point at our house.

Anyhow, Fire Camp is a tree-day training camp for girls only, ages 16-19 .  Put on by the Portland Fire and Rescue Bureau, the dates are June 22-24.  This non-residential camp will be held at their training facility in NE Portland. Applications are accepted through May 23rd and can be submitted electronically or mailed in.  Download aFire Camp flyer and share it with your friends.  I think it sounds really fun, and with our late arriving Portland Summers, it shouldn’t even be too hot at the end of June.

Sometimes things get a little tense around my house because the boys don’t like that I keep finding great things for girls-only but nothing just for boys.

While I fully support activities that concentrate on girls to try and get them involved with fields that they do not traditionally aspire too, I think the boys have a pretty valid point. There are not anywhere near as many free opportunities for boys only, in any category including those that are traditionally male dominated or female dominated.

Its a rich discussion and we have it a lot and I haven’t every really come up with a satifactory answer.

Here is a favorite gender-stereotype busting clip from our old favorite CD, Free to Be You and Me.

The only solution we’ve come up with is my youngest’s idea to have a camp for crafts and home economics–cooking, sewing, knitting etc– for boys only. If we ever get it off the ground, you can bet you will find it on Find Tomorrow Today.

Fire Camp for Young Women