After Deadly Texas Floods, Here's What Experts Recommend When It Comes to Keeping Your Kids Safe at Camp
Asking important questions, knowing phone rules and getting a physical before camp are all important ways to help keep kids as safe as possible
Camp Mystic in Kerr County has announced that 27 campers and counselors died amid the floods on Friday, July 4After the devastating Texas flood disaster, safety at summer camps is top of mind for many families.
Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp located in Kerr County, announced that 27 campers and counselors were killed after floodwaters ripped through the area on Friday, July 4.
The Heart O' the Hills all-girls camp, also located in Kerr County, was impacted by the flood as well, though camp was not in session at the time. Longtime co-owner Jane Ragsdale died in the flood, according to a statement from the camp.
Although what happened in Texas was the result of extraordinary circumstances, here are some tips from experts on how families can make the best decisions about sending their kids to camp.
Being prepared for any kind of emergency is imperative for camps, and parents should ask them what plans are in place to keep their kids safe.
Jim Austin, who has been a camper and worked at camps, encourages parents to ask the camps their children might attend about what plans are in place to keep kids safe should an emergency occur, according to the Associated Press.
The 69-year-old Michigan man said emergencies can range from severe weather, active shooters, missing individuals, and more. Camps need to be prepared for them all.
'Do they have a buddy check in the swimming area? Do they have a procedure when somebody is missing? Do they have things in place for severe weather?' Austin said, later adding, 'If they have to make it up, that's a big red flag.'
Also, according to Mother.ly, parents should inquire about basic CPR, first aid training, lifeguard certification, plans to supervise children with specific health needs, mental health concerns and how the camp handles exposure to illnesses.
Oftentimes, kids are not allowed to access their phones during camp. But some camps have policies that ensure kids can contact their parents if needed.
"When I take them out of the state, I let them bring their phones so that there is a lifeline to call home, but I keep them," said Leslie Earp, a children's pastor at First Assembly of God in Fort Myers, according to CBS affiliate WINK-TV.
"Whenever I take the kids' phones away, I make sure their parents have my cell phone number and the number of another adult that's on the trip so they can get in touch with us,' she explained, 'and if the girls get homesick or need to contact home, they can always get their phones from me, of course."
It's also important for parents to know how to contact their kids in the event of an emergency, Earp said.
"I would ask [camps] what safety procedures and safety measures they have in place, and I would ask them, you know, what is the procedure for contacting us if there's an emergency?' she said.
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Many camps require children to have a special physical with their doctor. The goal, according to Chicago Parent, is to assess them for any conditions that could impact them while they are away, especially during physical activity.
'If your child has asthma or severe allergies, we want to make sure those are well-managed,' said Dr. Nishaat Farooqui, a pediatrician at the UChicago Medicine Medical Group.
'A physical can help ensure they're not missing out just because of a health issue — and that they're safe while joining in,' he added.
To learn how to help support the victims and recovery efforts from the Texas floods, click here.
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