Southern Area Recruitment Camp
Made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Southern Region, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, and the Augusta Interagency Hotshot Crew
Recruitment Camp Dates: June 3-7, 2024
2024 applications are now closed.
Click here if you would like to be notified about 2025 Recruitment Camp and/0r job opportunities.
Who? Prospective entry level federal wildland firefighters. Open to U.S. citizens at least age 18 by June 2024.
What? 40 hour PAID recruitment camp featuring foundational wildland firefighter courses, daily physical training, and coaching on the federal job application process. Pre-work will include IS100, IS700, S-190, and L-180. Course work will include S-130.
Where? Augusta Interagency Hotshot Crew Base, Augusta Springs, VA.
How? Made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Southern Region, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, and the Augusta IHC, with special thanks to the Eldorado National Forest for its innovation and hard work in setting the standard.
Physical Training: What to expect
The purpose of physical training during Recruitment Camp is to properly prepare campers to thrive as wildland firefighters. Physical fitness is a critical element of wildland fire suppression. This profession is mentally and physically demanding, and you don’t want to come in unprepared. We will run approximately 4 miles, hike wearing 45 lb. packs while gaining 1000’ in elevation over 1 mile, and do circuit training during camp. Elevated fitness leads to increased safety through fatigue reduction and injury prevention. Implementing a physical fitness plan and maintaining a high level of fitness will increase your work endurance and make you a more assertive and better firefighter.
