Some parents may not wish to hear the phrases “injury prevention,” “first aid,” “opening the airway” or “stopping bleeding” in connection to their children’s summer camp experience.

Parents who sent their children to the 2005 Base Camp 911, however, expect to hear about these sorts of phrases.

Base Camp 911 is a camp designed to teach children the basics of safety, emergency response, emergency assistance and skills, and environmental safety. Next year’s Base Camp 911 will be held July 14, 15 and 16.

This year, Island County’s Base Camp 911 took place at Camp Casey from July 15 through the 17.

“Our goal has always been to help children make the best decisions they can for their safety,” said event coordinator Deb Crager, a paramedic who started the event five years ago and now works with Freeland resident Connie Stolcis to run it.

Crager said this year, approximately 60 children, ages 7 to 12-years-old stayed the weekend and learned about topics such as: how and when to call 911, injury prevention and simple first-aid techniques.

“Every year it’s gotten bigger and bigger,” Crager said.

Children also learned how to stop bleeding, how to help a choking person, how to splint a broken bone, proper seat-belt use, bicycle safety, fire safety, wilderness survival and public service careers.

The children learned about these topics from those who know them best — island paramedics, firefighters, police and hospital personnel.

Along with the 7 to 12-year-old children who spent the weekend, approximately 25 younger children, ages 4 to 7-years-old, attended a day camp on Saturday, and participated in the various classes and activities which taught the children first aid techniques, CPR, choking rescue, fire safety, water safety, bicycle safety, stranger danger and wilderness survival.

All campers also received first-hand information on what it is like to work as an emergency medic, a firefighter, a law enforcement officer and military personnel as volunteers from each of these various emergency response and safety vocations gave short lectures on their jobs and then lead the children in games, contests and other activities to reinforce the information.

“We try to mix the practical side with games that match up,” Crager said.

Along with learning about safety, various professions and playing games, the children got to see and explore an NAS helicopter, fire-engine, police cars and other emergency equipment.

“I think we’ve made some really positive impressions.” Crager said.

She said she has received letters from parents thanking volunteers of Base Camp 911 for the time they have invested in their children and for the tools and knowledge they have bestowed.

Craig said parents say kids who have attended the camp know what to do in emergency situations and have a greater confidence and self assurance.

Crager said this year’s camp was a success and was made possible with the help of Stolcis, the Whidbey Island Paramedic Association, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, South Whidbey Fire and Rescue, Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue, the Oak Harbor Fire Department, the Oak Harbor Police Department, North Region EMS and Trauma Council, Island County Communications (911), the Island County Sheriff’s Department, Washington State Patrol, the Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island and countless other volunteers and community members.