Red Cross Offers Camp for Teens

Who says a disaster can’t be fun? Certainly not the local offering its eighth season of Youth Disaster Camps where kids get to make believe during a multitude of mock disasters.  Some spots are still available at the Bradenton Branch session running July 25-29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The cost is $75 with advance registration and payment. Space is limited to 20 participants.

“Disaster Camps offer a full week of daily activities for teens to learn about disasters that could affect Manatee County,” said Debbie Tapp, Youth Services Director and a 20-year volunteer with the Red Cross. “From house fires to hurricanes, campers learn how to prepare themselves and their families and gain an understanding of how the Red Cross provides support in the aftermath of a disaster.”

The teens will encounter and learn to respond to a tornado, flood, hazardous material incident with mass casualties, a wilderness survival situation with injuries and a .

“I have found that the kids are very intelligent and reliable. When the camp is over, their names go into our database and we tell them to drop by and help when a disaster strikes,” Tapp said. “When something happens, it’s all hands on deck."

Teenagers are allowed to do everything an adults do for the Red Cross response team except drive vehicles and give out cash disbursements.

“It is good to have some younger bodies around because the phone banks run 24, seven and some of those kids don’t mind answering the phones 24 hours a day,” Tapp said.

Campers must be ages 14 to 18. Sessions include meals, snacks and field trips and are limited to 20 registrants. The Lakewood Ranch session is full. For information on the remaining spaces in the Bradenton camp at 2905 59^th St. W ., call 941-792-8686.