Summer Camps Checking Severe Weather Policies

By Tom McKee

Staff members at camps all over Greater Cincinnati made a review of their severe weather policies a top priority Thursday.

The move was triggered by the deaths of four Boy Scouts at the Little Sioux Scout Camp in Western Iowa when a tornado roared through the rustic facility.

It took on more urgency since staff training for summer camps is underway at many camps and parents are due to take their children to the first week-long sessions this weekend.

Camp Friedlander in Clermont County's Miami Township is run by the Dan Beard Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

When all 25 camp sites on the 500 acre facility are full, as many as 600 Scouts and leaders could be on the grounds.

"If weather is threatening we sound our sirens," said Tracy Techau, Dan Beard Council Scout Director.

"We have very effective sirens throughout the camp and immediately move all our scouts to concrete shelters."

There are eight of the shelters scattered throughout the camp. They double as shower houses and restrooms and were built to storm shelter specifications when a remodeling of the camp was completed around 2000.

"Sometimes there are drills and practices to make sure that people understand what to do," Techau said. "It's to get children out of harm's way as quickly as possible."

At YMCA Camp Kern near Oregonia in Warren County, the summer staff was going through team building exercises Thursday afternoon.

However, Executive Director Jeff Merhige and Summer Camp Director Erin Crosby made sure a thorough review of the severe weather policy was added to the agenda.

"Being in the child business we can't afford to get too lax about it," said Merhige.

Years ago, a member of the Camp Kern staff rang a large bell near the dining hall to let everyone know that severe weather was in the area.

That changed after the tornado that struck Blue Ash and Montgomery along with Sycamore and Symmes townships in 1999. Improvements in technology made it possible.

"We installed weather alert radios at every major building," said Merhige. "We instituted hand-held radio communications between the counselors."

"We added a weather bug on our emergency cell phones as well as our personal cell phones throughout the camp," added Crosby.

The internet is regularly checked if the clouds appear stormy and communication is made with the Warren County Sheriff's Department and fire personnel in Turtle Creek Township.

If severe weather approaches, campers and staff members gather inside buildings that have basements. Age-appropriate games are played with the children to help keep them occupied and calm.

"If an imminent threat is coming towards us we'll move the kids to the basement of those shelters," said Crosby, adding that every person on the camp grounds can fit into the available space.

Merhige added that a number of parents called the Camp Kern offices Thursday asking about the severe weather policies. He was happy to review the information with them and share the camp's philosophy that "Protecting children is our number one and greatest responsibility."