Saints Junior Training Camp coming to Fit As a Firefighter Summer Camp

Week-long day camp aims to fight childhood obesity

For the fourth summer, Slidell Memorial Hospital and St. Tammany Fire Protection District 1 will offer a free summer day camp that aims to build self esteem and teach nutrition and exercise skills to local children who struggle with their weight. Camp hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children must be identified as being in the 95^th percentile or above for weight or Body Mass Index (BMI) to qualify for the camp.  

The Fit as a Firefighter Summer Camp for children between seven and 12 years of age is scheduled for June 14 to 18 at the St. Tammany Fire District 1 Fire Training Academy/Camp Villere in Slidell. Program partners include: Slidell Police SWAT and K9 teams, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Louisiana State Troopers, SMH Foundation, SMH Women’s Health Alliance, Junior Auxiliary of Slidell, Cross Gates Family Fitness, Acadian Ambulance, Slidell Kicks Taekwondo, Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries, U.S. Coast Guard, Pearl River Line Dancers, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, ASMBS Foundation-Walk from Obesity, Camellia City Market, Sam’s Club, Jazzercise of Slidell, Rotary Clubs of Slidell & Northshore and the Louisiana National Guard. Last year, the program was honored with an American Heart Association “Community Fitness Innovation Award” and an “Innovator of the Year Award” from New Orleans CityBusiness magazine.  

This year, the Fit as a Firefighter program has expanded its activities to include the Saints Junior Training Camp. In addition to daily nutrition and fitness classes taught by certified dietician and fitness trainers, other activities, such as Smokehouse, fire truck and ambulance tours, Blackhawk helicopter tour, Indoor/Outdoor Firefighter game, karate, cooking class, and Get Wet, Have Fun water day, are designed to teach kids about fitness while they’re having fun. The children also will learn personal safety, including CPR and First Aid training, boating and community safety. (Additional details are below.) 

“This program is an opportunity to learn new behaviors that will contribute to the health and well-being of the children in our region in a safe and supportive environment,” said Camp Director Taffy Morrison, a parent educator with the SMH Parenting Center. “It is a chance to teach our children the many different and fun ways they can become active, which we hope will contribute to an increased level of activity year-round for years to come.” 

Registration packets for the Fit as a Firefighter Summer Camp can be picked up at Cross Gates Family Fitness Youth Activity Center (200 N. Military Rd.), Slidell Memorial Hospital Information Desk, SMH Parenting Center, online at 

SlidellMemorial.org/news and local pediatrician offices. Children need to have their pediatrician’s office fill out a Health Participation Form and complete registration procedures prior to the start of camp. For more information the Firefighter camp, contact Taffy Morrison, Fit as a Firefighter Director at (985) 649-8529.