Camp Ignite 2025: Sparking Confidence, Skills, and Future Leaders

Aug 8

Camp Ignite is more than a summer camp — it’s a movement to empower young women and open the door to future careers in fire and emergency services.

Hosted by St. Petersburg Fire Rescue in partnership with the City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County Urban League, St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation, and the St. Petersburg Association of Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 747, this free, three-day program offers girls ages 13–18 an unforgettable hands-on experience.

What Happens at Camp Ignite?

Participants step into the boots of first responders, gaining real-world skills and confidence through:

Fire hose operations
Vehicle extrication
Rope rescue drills
Personal protective equipment training
CPR certification
Team-building challenges

Along the way, campers work side-by-side with professional firefighters, learning the importance of teamwork, discipline, and leadership.

A Powerful Start to 2025

This year’s camp welcomed 18 incredible young women ready to spark their potential. Day one kicked off with encouragement from Fire Rescue leadership, including Chief Watts, trailblazers like Kathy Washington — the city’s first African American firefighter — and Dora Pearl, one of St. Petersburg’s first female firefighters.

Our own Nikki Gaskin-Capehart, CEO of the Pinellas County Urban League, also inspired participants with words of motivation, reminding them that the skills they gain here can ignite possibilities for a lifetime.

🎥 Watch Camp Ignite in Action:

Why It Matters

Camp Ignite isn’t just about firefighting — it’s about expanding horizons. Girls leave the program with new skills, leadership experience, and the confidence to explore careers in public service, emergency management, and beyond.

Through this partnership, PCUL is proud to connect young women to career pathways available right here in our city and support them every step of the way in making the best choice for their future.

Looking Ahead to 2026

We can’t wait to welcome the next class of Camp Ignite participants. Together, we can give even more young women the chance to see their potential and pursue their dreams.