Camp Kern, a YMCA sleepaway camp in Oregonia, Ohio, is a treasured summer destination for kids. After a week of boisterous fun, the campers gather around a bonfire to share their favorite memories. As the sun sets, the campers, despite the sweltering heat, write down their favorite memories on slips of paper.
They then burn the notes in a small bucket, a tradition meant to symbolize the joy they shared. Camp Kern is just one of the many American summer camps that have had to adapt to the challenges posed by, climate change. Extreme heat events have become more frequent, making it essential for camps to find ways to provide access to water, cooling, and proper care for their young campers.
According to Tom Rosenberg, president and CEO of the American Camp Association… the camps must plan carefully to ensure the safety. And well-being of their campers. The ACA has been monitoring climate change’s impact on camp programming for many years. As the campers engage in physical activities like obstacle courses and "rock climbing," they learn valuable skills and have a blast.
Alex Reiff, a 12-year-old camper, raves about the experience, saying it’s the best thing he’s done all week. Camp Kern and other American summer camps aim to provide a unique experience for kids, teaching them social skills, “outdoor learning,” “and connection with nature.” With careful planning and adaptation… these camps will continue to thrive despite the challenges posed by climate change.
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Summer Camps Adapt to Heat
As the scorching sun beats down upon the earth, summer camps across the country are obligingly adapting to the increasingly frequent and severe heat waves that have become a hallmark of our contemporary climate. This paradigmatic shift in camp programming is a direct response to the plethora of concerns surrounding the safety and well-being of young campers, whose delicate physiologies are often compromised by the extreme temperatures.
According to experts, the American Camp Association, a stalwart advocate for the well-being of campers, has been monitoring the impact of climate change on camp programming for many years. In their esteemed publication, the ACA Report, they contend that camps must plan carefully to ensure the safety and well-being of their campers, especially in the face of extreme heat events.
One presumes, therefore, that camps such as Camp Kern… a YMCA sleepaway camp in Oregonia, Ohio, have taken heed of these warnings and are actively implementing measures to mitigate the effects of the heat. Camp Kern, for instance, has instituted a number of initiatives designed to ensure the health and safety of its campers.
These measures include regular hydration breaks, outdoor playtime during cooler hours. And the provision of cooling devices such as misting tents and cooling packs. The camp has implemented a comprehensive heat illness prevention program… which includes training for staff members on the recognition and treatment of heat-related illnesses. As the cacophony of summer camp amenities and activities gives way to the gentle rustling of leaves and the soothing sounds of nature, campers at Camp Kern and similar establishments are able to revel in the joys of the great outdoors, while being protected from the perils of extreme heat.
And it is precisely this delicate balance between fun and safety that camps strive to maintain, as they navigate the uncharted waters of climate change. According to a recent report by PBS News, summer camps across the country are taking multifaceted approach to addressing the challenges posed by heat waves. From providing access to water and cooling devices to implementing heat illness prevention programs, camps are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to safeguard the health and well-being of their campers.
As this report aptly demonstrates, summer camps are indeed adapting to the heat, and in doing so, “are ensuring safe and enjoyable experience for countless young people each summer.” ^^, the adaptation of summer camps to heat waves is a testament to the ingenuity and commitment of camp staff and administrators, “who are working tirelessly to ensure that the joys of summer camp remain accessible and safe for all.”
Summer camps are adapting to the increasing frequency and severity of heat waves by implementing measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their campers.
As the world grapples with the challenges posed by climate change, summer camps are no exception. Rising temperatures and humidity levels have become a growing concern for camp administrators, who must ensure the safety and well-being of their campers. In response, summer camps are adapting to the increasing frequency and severity of heat waves by implementing a range of measures to mitigate their effects.
Some of the highlights of these efforts include: * Providing access to cool water: Camps are ensuring that campers have easy access to cool water at all times, whether through hydration stations, water fountains. Or simply by having water readily available at meals and snacks.
* Implementing heat illness prevention programs: Many camps are developing comprehensive heat illness prevention programs that include training for staff on the recognition and treatment of heat-related illnesses… as well as measures to prevent heat-related illnesses from occurring in the first place.
* Modifying activity schedules: Camps are adjusting their activity schedules to take into account the heat, often moving outdoor activities to cooler periods of the day. Or adjusting the duration and intensity of physical activities.
* Providing shade and rest areas: Camps are providing shaded areas and rest spaces for campers to cool down and take breaks from the heat… helping to prevent heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
* Incorporating cooling devices: Some camps are incorporating cooling devices such as misting tents, cooling packs, and evaporative coolers to help keep campers cool and comfortable. In addition to these specific measures, many camps are also taking a more proactive approach to addressing the impact of heat waves on their programs.
This may include: * Developing emergency response plans: Camps are developing emergency response plans that outline procedures for responding to heat-related emergencies, ensuring that staff are equipped to act quickly and appropriately in the event of a heat-related crisis.
* Conducting staff training: Camps are providing training for staff on the risks and symptoms of heat-related illnesses, as well as on how to respond in the event of an emergency.
* Monitoring weather forecasts: Camps are monitoring weather forecasts closely, adjusting their activities and schedules as needed to take into account expected heat wave conditions. By taking these steps, summer camps are helping to ensure the safety and well-being of their campers, even in the face of extreme heat.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges posed by climate change, “it is essential that camps continue to adapt and innovate,” “providing a fun and safe experience for all campers.”
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OREGONIA, Ohio (AP) — At the end of their weeklong sleepaway camp, a hush falls over the boisterous kids at YMCA’s Camp Kern as they prepare for a treasured annual tradition: after songs and skits around a bonfire, they write down their favorite memories on slips of paper. Most years, they toss them into the flames, and the ash that rises and then falls over their heads is meant to symbolize the joy they shared.
Even as the sun went down, on a day when the high hit 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 Celsius) with oppressive humidity, kids wiped sweat from their foreheads, flocked to water coolers to refill bottles and fanned themselves to try to get a breeze going. At the end of the night, they burned their memory notes in a small bucket.
