Most summer camps for teens center around sports, or music and arts, or just for having fun. But some girls in the Washington suburb of Arlington County, Virginia, went to camp to get a taste of what its like to be a firefighter. This is not a typical summer camp. But Michelle Pawlaw is glad she signed up for it."Getting to experience the fires hands-on is really cool and something that most people don't get to do," she said. Michelle and eight other teenage girls are participating in the three-day camp offered by the Arlington County Fire Department located just outside of Washington. "The purpose is to try to get young women interested in considering the fire service as a career" said firefighter Clare Burley, who is in charge of the program. The free of charge, overnight camp is designed to let the girls experience what firefighters do in the line of duty to protect the community. They take classes and learn how to climb the ladder on a fire truck, operate emergency tools and rescue on injured person. They also do their share of cleaning the firehouse and the equipment Firefighting is still a male-dominated   service. Clare joined the department seven years ago, saying "We do everything that the guys do to the same standarD.We are tested to the same standarD.We are expected to operate at the same standard." Most of the girls say they had never thought about becoming a firefighter, but the camp was a great learning experience. "I think it is definitely not a job that only men can do. Women can do it just as well as men can," said Michelle Pawlaw. 'I think I can help other people if they need help and know what to do in case I am at a fire myself," said Kayla Ehrlich. "I think it's fantastic; I could consider taking it as a career some day." said Monica Bartorsh. And, the girls say, by spending three days together, they also made new friends and had a lot of fun. _  might become a firefighter in the future.
Monica Kayla Michelle Clare