Camp Herrlich Leads Charge to Protect Kids

Hosts Prep Rally Program to Help Children and Families Prepare for Disasters

Camp Herrlich is taking a stand for kids in Putnam and Dutchess Counties, to help ensure that when the next disaster strikes, families will be ready and children will be safe. This week, in conjunction with Save the Children and the Community Resilience Coalition of Putnam County, it hosted four Get Ready Get Safe Prep Rallies to give children in their afterschool programs the tools they need to recognize risks, plan ahead, and make disaster supplies kits.

Children in the Kent Elementary, Matthew Paterson Elementary, Pawling Elementary, and Camp After School Programs all participated in fun and engaging presentations.

“We know that children are particularly vulnerable during disasters,” said Senior Program Director, Jessica Vanacoro. “By teaching them about emergency preparedness, we can build their resilience so they can feel safe, return to a regular routine quickly, and healthily cope with crises.”

Each day, 69 million children are in school or child care away from their parents if a disaster were to happen, yet less than half of American families have an emergency plan and may not know how to reunite during or following an emergency. These startling statistics reveal a huge gap in our nation’s ability to protect children during disasters. That’s why Camp Herrlich with the Community Resilience Coalition has stepped up to make preparedness a priority here in our after school program sites.

“The Prep Rally program makes disasters less scary by giving children the tools they need to prepare and be ready,” said Program Director and Prep Rally Facilitator Scott Riches. “Through fun activities and discussions, we were able to help our campers feel less afraid and more empowered to take actions that can help protect themselves and their families.”

Save the Children provided a backpack for each program participant that included a toiletries kit, a teddy bear, a notebook and writing implements, a flashlight, and a checklist for families to help with preparedness.

 

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Submitted by Brewster, NY

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