The “I am civil protection too” summer camps are back
From June to September, over 9,000 young people in 350 camps will take part in civil protection training activities
“I am civil protection too” has officially started. This national project is promoted by the Civil Protection Department and organized in collaboration with the regions, the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, and national and local volunteer organizations. It is a program focused on personal development, knowledge-sharing, and awareness-raising that, from June to September, will engage over 9,000 young people across 350 camps throughout the country.
Recognizing that protecting the common good and ensuring safety are skills best developed from an early age, the initiative aims to instill a culture of risk awareness in young people aged 10 to 16, starting from the very context in which they live. Therefore, the application process, managed directly by the volunteer organizations running the camps, prioritizes local residency, enabling participants to gain hands-on experience in civil protection within their own communities.
The training program, structured around a week of educational and practical activities, will cover topics ranging from wildfire prevention—the original focus of the project launched in 2007—to an understanding of municipal civil protection plans and the National Civil Protection System, through direct engagement with its components and operational units. It represents a virtuous model based on synergy between local institutions and civil protection operators working on the ground, designed to promote active citizenship and community service among younger generations.
“This project,” highlights Department Head Fabio Ciciliano, “is of key importance because investing in young people and their education is one of the pillars upon which our culture of prevention is built. The young people involved in this initiative are not mere observers, but active participants in the system. By learning best practices and risk management, they develop the awareness that will make them responsible citizens of the future, capable of protecting themselves, their communities, and the surrounding environment.
At the “I am civil protection too” school camps, participants also experience the value of solidarity and mutual aid—a profound experience that, every year, encourages many young people to become involved in civil protection volunteering, thereby translating the concept of active citizenship into concrete, shared actions.