About Us
Our mission
Our mission is to engage female youth in a way that encourages and empowers them through fire fighting.
We aim to create unique opportunities to gain hands on experience with the tools associated with firefighting and build confidence through team activities hosted on active fire training grounds around Vancouver Island.
Our history
We are modelled after Camp Ignite Mentorship Program which has operated for over a decade in the Greater Vancouver area. The popularity of this program is reaching a pinnacle and there was an obvious need to provide regional programs to allow more youth the chance to take part.
Island Ignite Mentorship Society is an independent not-for-profit organization operating on Vancouver Island, launched in June 2022, to meet the growing need to bring regional youth fire camps throughout British Columbia. We ran our first camp in July 2023 with 27 youth and 20+ volunteers.
Our commitment
We are committed to creating opportunities that give female youth the confidence to explore non-traditional jobs and empower them through fire fighting skills and drills.
We endeavour to remain progressive, inclusive and adaptive to the varied needs of our local partners and build programs that are fun, safe, and accessible.
We vow to work collaboratively with the departments in our region to create an amazing experience for all who participate.
Testimonials
Stefanie Kostamo - Island Ignite 2023 Alumni
Stefanie Kostamo - Island Ignite 2023 Alumni
Stefanie Kostamo - Island Ignite 2023 Alumni
Stefanie was sponsored by North Cowichan Station 3 Maple Bay Fire Department. Stefanie serves with the 744 Cowichan Squadron and after 6 years is ascending to Warrant Officer. She enjoys basketball and plays badminton competitively. Stefanie is an artist and who has learned to trust the process in creating something special. She has a keen desire to serve her community in some capacity and attending Island Ignite gave her a perspective on emergency service work.
Stefanie shares, "I really enjoyed being able to participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity. It has been a huge pleasure to be able to experience a fun version of firefighting." She goes on to say, while "we weren't under pressure, it was the understanding of what needed to be done that was important." Stefanie bonded with Isobel Matheson and the two spent time cheering each other on, finding joy in their shared interests. She says if she was allowed to do it all again she would!
We have no doubt that Stefanie will be a community leader in whatever field of work she chooses. We are proud to have sparked her interest and happy to have created a space for self-discovery and friendship building! Thanks for bringing all you have to Island Ignite 2023!
Ella Page - Island Ignite 2023 Mentor
Stefanie Kostamo - Island Ignite 2023 Alumni
Stefanie Kostamo - Island Ignite 2023 Alumni
Island Ignite is bringing together our Island’s emergency workers to work towards another common goal. I volunteered at camp in 2023, and I have been eager to be involved ever since. It has been amazing seeing the difference Island Ignite has made for myself, other emergency workers, and the youth in our communities. All the volunteers and participants create an empowering atmosphere. This experience truly engages and recognizes the potential that female and non-cisgender youth have to excel in non-traditional fields of work.
Following camp, I gained a deepened understanding of how impactful and critical initiatives like this one can be. I could not be more excited to see how many more people can be moved and impacted by this program.
Thank You FortisBC!
Community Investment Program - 2024 Recipient
Every year, FortisBC, funds local community programs. Through their Community Investment Program, they partner with a range of leaders from grassroots initiatives, non-profits and social giving groups who have creative insights into the specific needs of their communities.
FortisBC is committed to helping make a difference—one relationship and one community at a time.
Island Ignite Mentorship Program is proud to have the support of FortisBC in helping empower and educate youth in our communities!
Thank You Island Health!
Community Wellness Grant - 2024 Recipient
The focus of the 2024/2025 funding cycle is community resilience, promoting connected, diverse, safe, active, and nourished communities.
Island Health has identified key resilience goals that include:
Advancing diversity in your community
Advancing connectedness in your community
Advancing safety in your community
Advancing nourishment in your community
Advancing active living in your community
Island Ignite Mentorship Program is proud to have the support of Island Health in helping meet these resiliency goals across Vancouver Island!
Visit https://communitygrants.islandhealth.ca/ for more details.
2024 Partners, Donors & Supporters
July 11-13, 2025
Applications are closed for this year's camp. Thank you for your interest.