Aspire Academy

This hands-on resident camp for girls in grades 9-12 allows campers to participate in a variety of activities designed to build leadership skills, self-confidence, and respect through teamwork. This event rotates between Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler with every camp being run in partnership with other public safety departments from across the valley.

Aspire Academy allows girls to experience firefighting, emergency operations techniques, and law enforcement operations while connecting with women currently in the professions, as well as other women working in non-traditional roles. Girls will gear up and work alongside the elite women from Central Arizona’s fire and police services, learning the value of fitness, rappelling, climbing a 100-foot ladder truck, investigating crime scenes, and riding with driving instructors in a high-speed obstacle course!

See what it's like in this video from the October 2024 Academy! 

Fall 2025 Aspire Academy 

Dates: TBD
Grades: 9 – 12
Location:  TBD

Please visit our website periodically for our Fall Aspire Academy!

Charitable contributions to governmental units are tax deductible under section 170(C)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code when made for a public purpose - such as Aspire.

Donations can be made to:

Mesa Police Department Aspire Fund
MPD Youth Development Unit
PO Box 1466, Mesa, AZ 85211-1466

Donations can fund a specific need, or be designated for general program support (used where it will make the greatest impact at the time).  Here are a few examples of ways your donation can be applied:   

• Sponsor a girl: $125
• “Host” a meal to feed hungry campers (and staff): $300
• Restaurants or business can donate food or cater in a meal
• Purchases of: 
  • Snacks, water, Gatorade, etc.
  • Food service items (paper plates, napkins, cutlery, etc.)
  • Equipment (gloves, safety glasses, sunscreen, etc.)
  • Medals or trophies

Please email aspire@mesaaz.gov for more information about donations.