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Chatham emergency agencies and Girl Scouts launch hands‑on 'Operation React' camp for middle‑school girls
Summary
Emergency management, police, fire, animal services and Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia announced a week‑long, hands‑on 'Operation React' camp (June 1–5) to expose rising 7th–9th graders to search‑and‑rescue, firefighting, forensics and emergency preparedness; registration details were provided (gshg.org).
Chatham County emergency agencies and Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia unveiled “Operation React,” a week‑long, hands‑on camp designed for rising seventh through ninth graders to experience a range of public‑safety careers and emergency‑preparedness skills.
Chelsea Sawyer, emergency preparedness manager for the county, described the June 1–5 program as a multi‑agency partnership that will place girls in practical exercises: setting up shelters, operating radios, basic firefighter obstacle courses and hose activities, stop‑the‑bleed training, search‑and‑rescue trail work, drone introductions, fingerprinting and evidence‑processing demonstrations taught by police, and animal‑services interaction stations.
Lorenna Kersner of Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia said the camp will convert participants into registered Girl Scouts for the year, giving attendees continued access to programs after the week’s main event. "This camp will give girls an opportunity to step into the shoes of different emergency responders... and hopefully spark interest in those kinds of careers," she said.
Police and fire staff emphasized that the instruction will be realistic and skills based. Chatham County’s fire leadership said the stop‑the‑bleed and firefighter training offered to campers will align with professional training curricula used for first responders. Police representatives plan fingerprinting and basic forensics stations sequenced after search‑and‑rescue exercises; animal services will bring practical demonstrations to show non‑veterinary animal‑welfare roles.
Organizers stressed safety and preparedness: search‑and‑rescue trails are mapped and safety briefings are mandatory; partner agencies will staff each station. Sponsors and funders such as HCA and county emergency management were acknowledged for underwriting program costs.
Registration information: organizers said spaces remain available and asked interested families to register through Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia at gshg.org under summer camp listings. The camp is hosted at the Girl Scouts’ Camp Low property and will include guest instructors from across the region.
Organizers said they hope the camp will build confidence, spark career interest, and provide practical emergency‑response skills that participants can apply in their homes and communities.
