Applause
A new column about great things happening in local childcare programs.
Camp Herrlich Leads Charge to Protect Kids
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.
About Camp Herrlich
Camp Herrlich is a not for profit, year-round children’s camp that provides quality and enriching child care through school age programs in 4 sites, summer day and sleepaway camp, outdoor education and teambuilding programs, and retreat and conference facilities. Learn more at www.campherrlich.org or www.facebook.com/campherrlich
About the Putnam County Community Resilience Coalition
The Community Resilience Coalition (CRC) of Putnam County, NY aims to create a sustainable foundation for a resilient community by strengthening the ability of local organizations to collectively protect children before, during and after an emergency or disaster. The CRC is part of the Resilient Children / Resilient Communities Initiative, a partnership between the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute and Save the Children, funded by a grant from GSK. Learn more at http://www.putnamcountyny.com/health/community-resilience-coalition/.
About Get Ready Get Safe
Get Ready Get Safe is a pioneering Save the Children initiative designed to help US communities prepare to protect and care for the most vulnerable among us in times of crisis – our children. We help generate child-focused emergency plans, provide emergency training and ensure emergency resources are in place before crisis strikes. Learn more at www.savethechildren.org/GetReady.
