Camp 911 takes off this week

FINDLAY — Approximately 160 kids are taking part in this year's Camp 911, said camp administrator and Findlay Fire Department administrative assistant Beth Baker. The camp is open to children going into kindergarten in the fall and aims to teach them about community safety, first responders, emotional regulation, nutrition and water safety among many other topics to ensure children are more prepared to enter school. "It's all put on by the Sheriff's office, the fire department and the police department," Baker said. "It's just a great group of people coming together to teach these kiddos … It's just trying to give them the opportunity to engage with kids their age and get ready for their big jump into school." When asked if she thought the camp was successful, Baker said the camp is most successful at familiarizing young children with those in uniform. "Sometimes that can be scary for kids," she said. By allowing kids to get up close and personal with police officers, school-resource officers, firefighters and other first responders, when children enter school, they'll know those in uniforms are there to help. "They're learning a bunch of stuff from a ton of different people," Baker said. "We keep them moving … It's cool to see all of these different people coming together to make this happen."