Camp Augusta Update: Injured Kids, Counselors All Expected to Make Full Recovery

The campers and counselors injured July 4 when a canoe on wheels tipped over at Camp Augusta in Nevada County, CA, are all expected to make full recoveries from their injuries, the camp's board chairman, Steve Rogers, said Saturday.

Rogers said five campers, a 17-year-old junior counselor and two adult counselors, ages 24 and 25, were involved in the accident. The camp serves children and teens ages 8-16. 

Rogers said everyone in the canoe was wearing helmets and safety gear.

The accident happened about noon when the non-motorized, soapbox-derby-like vehicle was rolling down a slope, Sacramento's Channel 13 reported. Eight people were in the vehicle when it crashed, Channel 13 said.

Two campers were airlifted to medical facilities to be checked for possible concussions, Rogers said. The canoe's other occupants were checked at nearby medical facilities and released the same day, he said.

Channel 13 said the airlifted victims were taken to a Roseville hospital and a UC Davis medical facility, while others were treated at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley.

Rogers said camp policies don't permit disclosure of the injured children's identities or medical condition, but confirmed that at least some of the injured were Piedmont youngsters. 

In an email sent to parents of enrolled campers Friday evening, Rogers and Camp Director Randy Grayson described the injuries as "generally consistent with what you would expect when a camper is thrown from a horse or falls off a mountain bike." (The full text of Fridy's email is below.)

Rogers said the canoe-on-wheels run is a regular and very popular activity at the camp.

He said the accident occurred during the camp's second session of the summer.

Campers from Session 2 returned home today (Saturday) and a new group of campers is scheduled to leave for Camp Augusta Sunday, he said.

Camp Augusta is an independent, non-profit residential summer camp on the western shore of Lake Vera, about four miles from Nevada City in the Sierra foothills.

Although the camp has no official affiliation with the City of Piedmont, a large majority of its board of directors and campers are Piedmont residents, Rogers said. 

The Piedmont Unified School District also holds activities for students at the camp.

Some summertime campers come from communities in the Nevada City area, Rogers said.

The land for Camp Augusta was donated in 1931 by Frieda Ehman, a Piedmont resident. Originally a camp for girls, it has been coeducational for many years. It has become a Piedmont tradition, and some local families have sent three generations of children to the camp. (Read more about Camp Augusta in this 2011 Piedmont Patch article.)

Camp Augusta is known for its innovative activities, which range from berry picking, arts and crafts, swimming and horseback riding to such unusual offerings as blacksmithing, fire spinning and the use of ancient weapons, according to the camp's website.

Here's the letter sent to parents of campers on Friday evening, July 6:

Dear Parent:

I wanted to let you know about a camping mishap that happened during session 2.

During a routine and popular camp activity, there was an accident that involved [8] campers and staff when a soapbox derby-like vehicle tipped over.  Injuries were generally consistent with what you would expect when a camper is thrown from a horse or falls off a mountain bike.  Out of an abundance of caution, the counselors who were present elected to seek an immediate medical diagnosis for all campers.  The counselors consulted with local medical authorities who provided instructions on how to ensure the kids were evaluated as soon as practicable. Those instructions were followed precisely.  Two of the campers demonstrated concussion symptoms and on advice, and in an abundance of caution, were flown to medical facilities as this was the most immediate method to transport the kids to the best facilities available.

We work to ensure that camp is a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone, but accidents can and do happen.  Substantial effort and training goes into minimizing these risks.  All the campers and staff were wearing appropriate safety equipment at the time of the accident. Fortunately, I understand none of the injuries are threatening and the kids and counselors are all healing.  We hope you understand that we take your child’s safety very seriously and will always err to the side of extreme caution. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call Camp Augusta -- 530-265-3702.