Staff Report
The Extreme Safety Course And Personal Empowerment (E.S.C.A.P.E. ) Series is back this fall offering six sessions for girls held at Camp Dorothy Thomas located at 16119 Boyette Road in Riverview. The six sessions will have guest speakers instructing and informing the girls on Natural Disasters, Fire/Life Safety, Basic CPR/First Aid, Abduction 101, FL Laws/Statues and Physical Defense Techniques.
These classes will take place the following Sundays: October 5, November 2, December 7, January 11, 2015; February 8, 2015 and March 1, 2015. All classes will take place from 3-5 p.m. These classes are open to Second Year Junior-Ambassador Girls Scouts and the public. Girl Scouts can register at www.gswcf.org. Those interested who are not a girl scout, please contact Melinda Exum-Bihler, Series Coordinator at 843-3245 or e-mail memibihler@aol.com to inquire more information and to register.
Participation is limited to 24 girls per session, and registration is on a first come, first serve basis. After each session, participants will be confident with their knowledge, skills and abilities to E.S.C.A.P.E. in an emergency or in a dangerous situation. The E.S.C.A.P.E. Series is designed toward educating young ladies by developing their awareness of potential violent situations.
“My own daughter put into action the Fire E.S.C.A.P.E. skills during a hotel fire evacuation while on her first trip away from me while traveling in France this summer (the kids were never in danger but they didn’t know that at 1 a.m.) and that is why I am doing this. Whether near or far, alone or in a group, with or without an adult, even someone they trust can be a violator of personal boundaries. They are facing and will continue to face challenges that we cannot assist them in, that is why I believe one of the best gifts we can give our young ladies is the tools to protect themselves and avoid danger,” Exum-Bihler said.
There will be basic CPR/First Aid mixed in with the sessions to prepare the girls for the next season (2015) Certification class.
The E.S.C.A.P.E. Series will also be offering a CPR and First Aid Certification Class. This is open to Cadette-Ambassador Girl Scouts and the public. It will take place Sunday, September 7 from 2-6 p.m. at the Camp Dorothy Lodge. For registration, visit www.gswcf.org or e-mail memibihler@aol.com. Those who register must have basic knowledge and skills of CPR and First Aid. This course is perfect for girls who are looking to get certified for babysitting purposes.
