It's great to be able to try out a career before you choose it. There are lots of books to read on how to be a carpenter, chef, or a how to run a small business. But there are some things you just can't experience in a book. For example how to be a fireman, policeman or an emergency medical technician. These are jobs that require interaction with certain people and much specialized equipment.
Our son Ben who just turned fourteen this year, decided he wanted to be a fireman. Remember those trips to the fire department to see the trucks in 1st grade? I loved those trips. So did Ben. When the local fire department hosted a pancake breakfast this winter, we decided to go and experience the fire department again. While we were there we learned about a club they have for kids ages 14 and up who are interested in the fields of community service that are the fire department, the police department and the emergency medical service technicians. It's called Explorer's. It's a national organization, one I had never heard of until recently.
Two of our teenage sons have become Explorer's. Here they are in their uniforms. What is it about guys in uniforms that makes me melt? It's been a fabulous experience. We meet weekly and have training in all 3 areas once a month. Our first meeting was a tour of the fire department, which we all loved!
Since then we have learned how to put on the fire equipment, tear an old car apart with specialized fire department tools, tie amazing knots and make an emergency call on the scanner. We also know the types of fires and how the fire department uses different chemicals to fight the fire depending on the situation.
We learned our city has very few fire hydrants, so they own a special truck that carries 5000 gallons of water to every fire just in case it's needed. Who knew?
In our police training we have learned how to take down basic witness information like name, address, phone number, hold a business meeting, and how to document and investigate a traffic accident.
Last week the boys learned how to shoot. When I told our oldest son (who is currently in public high school) his little brothers were going to a shooting range. He thought I was truly crazy. Yup, I am one CRAZY home schooling Mama, don't mess with me! Just wait until I tell him what we are doing next week....bomb squad and terrorism training!
My husband accompanied the boys to the range. They spent the entire day there, learning gun safety, how to shoot and handle different weapons.
They also had a blast in the virtual shooting ranges.
This one was 360 degrees. Very challenging.
Amazing training. They were really good at it too. Look at those grins.
This training would have cost us more than $200.00 per person had we taken the class outside of the Explorer's group. Wow! My husband is even legally certified to carry a concealed weapon now. This makes me laugh. Our "Principal" is packing a weapon. Yup!
In our EMS training, we have learned how to pump out the contents of a drug overdose victim's stomach for evidence, basic CPR, and first aid for heat stroke victims. We are also scheduled to become certified as a life guard and earn our CPR certification. These items alone would cost more than $150.00 each to learn through the Red Cross.
We are also taking part in a community festival coming up. The boys will be directing traffic, putting up no parking signs along the parade route, and cooking burgers for the fire department. For each year they are with the group they earn a certification level. In a couple of years they will be certified to go out on calls with the departments. Interestingly enough, we have also met some other home schoolers who are doing the same program. Could it be as home schoolers we tend to value and cultivate righteousness in our children?
This has been a great learning experience. Learning this much must be expensive, right? How much does it cost? Our post charges $30.00 per year. Yup, only thirty bucks. Can you believe it? The kids have learned invaluable lessons, respect for the law, responsibility, accountability, and what it means to be a part of and serve the community. How can you possibly put a price on that? Sounds like a fabulous bargain to me.
You can learn more about the Explorers organization at one of the websites below:
http://exploring.learningforlife.org/services/career-exploring/fire-service/
http://exploring.learningforlife.org/services/career-exploring/law-enforcement/
Designer Mom
Our son Ben who just turned fourteen this year, decided he wanted to be a fireman. Remember those trips to the fire department to see the trucks in 1st grade? I loved those trips. So did Ben. When the local fire department hosted a pancake breakfast this winter, we decided to go and experience the fire department again. While we were there we learned about a club they have for kids ages 14 and up who are interested in the fields of community service that are the fire department, the police department and the emergency medical service technicians. It's called Explorer's. It's a national organization, one I had never heard of until recently.
Two of our teenage sons have become Explorer's. Here they are in their uniforms. What is it about guys in uniforms that makes me melt? It's been a fabulous experience. We meet weekly and have training in all 3 areas once a month. Our first meeting was a tour of the fire department, which we all loved!
Since then we have learned how to put on the fire equipment, tear an old car apart with specialized fire department tools, tie amazing knots and make an emergency call on the scanner. We also know the types of fires and how the fire department uses different chemicals to fight the fire depending on the situation.
We learned our city has very few fire hydrants, so they own a special truck that carries 5000 gallons of water to every fire just in case it's needed. Who knew?
In our police training we have learned how to take down basic witness information like name, address, phone number, hold a business meeting, and how to document and investigate a traffic accident.
Last week the boys learned how to shoot. When I told our oldest son (who is currently in public high school) his little brothers were going to a shooting range. He thought I was truly crazy. Yup, I am one CRAZY home schooling Mama, don't mess with me! Just wait until I tell him what we are doing next week....bomb squad and terrorism training!
My husband accompanied the boys to the range. They spent the entire day there, learning gun safety, how to shoot and handle different weapons.
They also had a blast in the virtual shooting ranges.
This one was 360 degrees. Very challenging.
Amazing training. They were really good at it too. Look at those grins.
This training would have cost us more than $200.00 per person had we taken the class outside of the Explorer's group. Wow! My husband is even legally certified to carry a concealed weapon now. This makes me laugh. Our "Principal" is packing a weapon. Yup!
In our EMS training, we have learned how to pump out the contents of a drug overdose victim's stomach for evidence, basic CPR, and first aid for heat stroke victims. We are also scheduled to become certified as a life guard and earn our CPR certification. These items alone would cost more than $150.00 each to learn through the Red Cross.
We are also taking part in a community festival coming up. The boys will be directing traffic, putting up no parking signs along the parade route, and cooking burgers for the fire department. For each year they are with the group they earn a certification level. In a couple of years they will be certified to go out on calls with the departments. Interestingly enough, we have also met some other home schoolers who are doing the same program. Could it be as home schoolers we tend to value and cultivate righteousness in our children?
This has been a great learning experience. Learning this much must be expensive, right? How much does it cost? Our post charges $30.00 per year. Yup, only thirty bucks. Can you believe it? The kids have learned invaluable lessons, respect for the law, responsibility, accountability, and what it means to be a part of and serve the community. How can you possibly put a price on that? Sounds like a fabulous bargain to me.
You can learn more about the Explorers organization at one of the websites below:
http://exploring.learningforlife.org/services/career-exploring/fire-service/
http://exploring.learningforlife.org/services/career-exploring/law-enforcement/
Designer Mom
Wow, that is AWESOME!! Mine aren't old enough yet, but I'm storing this in my "check out in a couple of year for sure!" file! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it, I hope your kids can be a part of it someday!
DeleteWhat a great opportunity! I have never heard of that program before. It looks like your boys are loving it! Thanks for sharing this at Trivium Tuesdays.
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