Junior Fire Cadet Camp Ignites Future Heroes

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy Williamson County ESD 5

For a group of 32 kids, summer kicked off with ladder climbs, rescue knots, and a whole lot of fun at the third annual Junior Fire Cadet Camp hosted by Williamson County ESD 5 / Jarrell Fire Rescue. Held June 9-13 at Living Word Church and Jarrell Fire Station 1, the camp gave students hands-on experience in everything from climbing aerial ladders and tying rescue knots to operating fire extinguishers and navigating obstacle courses. For Fire Chief Ron Stewart, the campers’ enthusiasm was the best part. “Every day, the kids would say, ‘Can we stay longer?’ Their enthusiasm and excitement just fuels us and confirms this is a really good program.”

The camp also featured visits from the Jarrell ISD Police Department and their K-9 unit Nosic along with Daisy a therapy dog handled by Chris Orton with Bluebonnet Trails, plenty of outdoor play, and a final day pool party at Sonterra, complete with hot dogs grilled by local law enforcement. The camp not only sparks curiosity about firefighting but also builds leadership—several returning campers served as counselors this year. As the program grows, organizers are exploring ways to expand, possibly by adding a police-themed camp week in the future. “We’re trying to find creative ways to get more kids involved,” Chief Stewart says.