by Kathy Wechsler

Sirens blare and fire engines roar as fire fighters race to the scene, ready to respond to an important call. They pull out their equipment and hurry to meet their destiny. These fire fighters arent fighting fires today: Theyre prepared for fun and excitement at MDA summer camp!

Each year MDA sends more than 4,000 youngsters with neuromuscular diseases to some 90 fun-filled one-week sessions at nearly 80 locations nationwide. Campers between the ages of 6 and 21 enjoy activities specially designed for young people with disabilities at no cost to their families. From swimming and horseback riding to talent shows and arts and crafts programs, MDA summer camp offers something for everyone, no matter what his or her level of mobility.

MDAs camp program wouldnt be possible without the thousands of volunteers who devote themselves to the kids during camp week. Chief among these eager volunteers are members of the International Association of Fire Fighters, MDAs largest national sponsor.

The IAFF raises funds for MDA year-round through special events such as Fill-the-Boot campaigns, bowl-a-thons and softball tournaments. This year, the IAFF celebrates 50 years of national sponsorship of MDA.

But on top of that, many IAFF members serve as volunteer counselors or activity leaders at MDA summer camps. Across the country, fire fighters and paramedics are crazy about camp.

Nick DelGrosso and Shane Groothoff

	Ready for a luau, fire fighters Stan Johnson and Nick DelGrosso pose with camper Shane Groothoff.

"Summer camps the best event that we do," said Nick DelGrosso, a fire fighter and emergency medical technician with the Pinellas Park, Fla., Fire Fighters Local 2193, whos been going to MDA summer camp for six years. "We dont raise any money with it, but to me its the reward for all the hard work that we do throughout the year."

As members of the IAFF, DelGrosso and 10 to 15 other local fire fighters participate in Carnival Day, an activity-packed day during camp week when the kids fish in the lake, ride horses and generally goof around with the fire fighters.

The actual carnival takes place in the afternoon, and features games and activities made accessible by the fire fighters. Its accompanied by music from a fellow fire fighter, acting as disc jockey.

DelGrosso constructed a unique fire-fighting game for Carnival Day. He attached a hose to an old fire extinguisher and built a backdrop of a house with "flames" in the windows. The campers goal is to knock the flames down using a constant stream of water. Kids also enjoy bowling and miniature golf games, and everyone gets a prize.

"When we go to summer camp, its kind of like, you know what this is why I do it," said DelGrosso, 29, whos been with the Pinellas Park Fire Department for nine years.

Dinnertime brings a new kind of excitement for the fire fighters and campers. With food donated from a local store, the fire fighters cook dinner for the kids and compete with other IAFF locals for the Silver Spatula Award, an honor given to the chefs of the best meal. The fire fighters pick a theme for the dinner and dress accordingly.

"You want to make it to where you can give them every possibility to do things that every other kid takes for granted," said DelGrosso, whose wife, Jennifer, and healthy 2-year-old daughter, Megan, also visit summer camp. "Thats why we do it: to see the kids enjoying themselves and having a good time."

DelGrosso knows that kids look up to fire fighters, which is why he encourages other fire fighters to volunteer at summer camp.

Shane shows off his catch at the MDA camp in Brandon, Fla.

"My favorite part of camp is when the Pinellas Park Fire Fighters come out," said Shane Groothoff, 12, of Pinellas Park. Shane has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and wears short ankle braces to prevent him from tripping and falling.

Shane likes making friends with other kids affected by neuromuscular diseases. His 6-year-old brother, Justin, who also has CMT, is looking forward to his first year at MDA summer camp. With an interest in photography, Shane always takes plenty of pictures of camp, which is held at Rotarys Camp Florida in Brandon.

When they found out after his first camp session that they had Pinellas Park in common, a friendship bloomed between Shane and DelGrosso, and the two never lost touch.

"Shane stops by the station all the time," DelGrosso said. "We call him our Junior Fire Chief."

Presenting the check from the Pinellas Park Fire Fighters on the local Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon broadcast in Tampa, Fla., is just one of Shanes responsibilities as Junior Fire Chief. He also rides on a fire engine in the towns annual Christmas parade and represents MDA at a variety of events.

The whole MDA summer camp crew gathers around a fire engine at the Brandon, Fla., camp.

Joe Noack

"MDA summer camp means a week of fun and excitement and new experiences," said Joe Noack, captain at Fire Station No. 18 of the Houston Fire Department, which is a member of the IAFF.

	Fire fighter Joe Noack

Volunteering at MDA summer camp for five years, Noack, 36, began as a camp counselor and then switched to unit leader, a position that allows him to interact with a group of kids instead of just one camper.

His cabin usually is made up of five or six campers and their counselors. He makes sure cabin members wake up on time, eat, get showered and brush their teeth, and assures that everyone is well taken care of and ready for each exciting new day.

"Ive gotten to know the kids that I take care of really well," said Noack, who gets requests from campers to remain in his cabin in future years. "Every year we look forward to going to camp because we have a pretty good time."

Fire fighter Joe Noack is an enthusiastic volunteer at MDAs camp in the Houston area, where a camper receives some batting tips from another fire fighter.

Since hes with his cabin members 24 hours a day, Noack does much more than assist in their care. He takes part in all activities, helping when needed to ensure that campers are safe and enjoying themselves as much as possible. Swimming, fishing and horseback riding are just a few of the activities at the Houston summer camp, held at Camp for All, a completely accessible facility.

Theres no doubt about it camp is fun. Its also a place where kids can be themselves, surrounded by others with neuromuscular diseases.

Noack has passed along his appreciation of MDA summer camp to his three stepchildren, and the oldest daughter hopes to be a counselor this year.

"I love going to camp. I get as much out of it or more than the kids do," said Noack. "Its a real time to grow, a real time to learn something from the kids at the same time as helping them have fun and teaching them."

Lori Suess and Shelly Lieberman

"Every child should have the opportunity to attend a summer camp, and by volunteering, I am giving a child that opportunity," said Lori Suess, whos been with the Reno, Nev., Fire Department for six years.

For several years Suess, 39, and fellow fire fighter Shelly Lieberman, 26, have shared the responsibility of being co-counselors for a severely disabled camper.

	Dressed in togas, fire fighters Shelly Lieberman and Lori Suess look after campers Raechal Caile and Chris Stoddard in Nevada.

This summer will be Liebermans fourth year volunteering at MDAs camp. She admires the strength and character of the campers, who, despite their physical limitations, keep on smiling, laughing and having a good time.

"I participate because I love kids, and it is very rewarding," said Lieberman, whose husband, Josh, also is a fire fighter for the Reno Fire Department and plans to volunteer at this years summer camp. "Being a part of MDA helps remind me not to take things for granted and fills me with a deep sense of happiness to be a part of such wonderful kids and peoples lives."

Anticipating her fifth summer at camp, Suess recently took on a role with the camp planning committee. She and fellow fire fighter Tom Powers travel to Las Vegas to help plan and coordinate each years MDA summer camp for Nevada, which takes place at Lake Tahoe.

Fire fighters show off their fire engine at Camp Shadow Pines in Heber, Ariz.

Suess and Lieberman arent alone in their desire to brighten the lives of children. The Reno Fire Department has eight fire fighters willing to attend camp full time, and numbers are increasing every year. 

"As fire fighters, we generally have a caring, giving nature, and its only right to share that with others who may need a little more assistance," Suess said.

Not having any children of her own, Suess enjoys being a childs mentor for the entire week. She learns a lot from being around the campers, who are full of life, love and energy.

"This camp could not take place without volunteers," said Lieberman, whos been with the Reno Fire Department for three years. "I do think it is important to try to commit every year so the kids can come to camp already feeling comfortable because they know you from the years before."

Join the Fun

Kids at MDA summer camp never feel left out. One-on-one counselors are trained to help campers with all physical needs as well as the most important need the need to have a blast.

For more information about an MDA summer camp in your area or to find out how to become a summer camp volunteer, call your local MDA office or visit www.mda.org/clinics/camp/.

For more about some special summer camps, see KidQuest.