By Maureen Zug

For the second consecutive summer, American Red Cross Disaster Cycle Services (DCS) partnered with the City of Philadelphia’s Parks and Recreation Department to provide summer programming for city youth. Camp Save-A-Life targeted approximately 2,500 campers between the ages of 5-12 at 60 rec center locations.

Leading the Way for Fun and Learning

Red Cross Disaster Preparedness Manager Ryan Gaul managed six weeks of camp sessions from July 8 through August 16. He worked with a team of eight counselors divided into two teams of four. A week-long training for the counselors began in late June. Maureen Streeter, Red Cross disaster recovery program manager, supported this training at the Red Cross House in Philadelphia. Red Cross preparedness volunteers Kathy Mullen, Amy Juarez, John Gebhardt and Mary Ann Santangelo provided direction for the program by adapting the vocabulary and delivery from “Be Red Cross Ready” home fire and hands only CPR modules to reach a younger audience. Additionally, Disaster Health Services volunteer Will Dobnak delivered the Hands Only CPR instructional training.This team provided the counselors’ training during their first week at the Red Cross House.

Fostering Preparedness Skills and Confidence

Both Maureen and Ryan emphasized the goal-oriented nature of the camp sessions. For younger campers ages 5-8, the “Prepare with Pedro” program is the basis for learning about preparedness and home fire safety evacuation procedures. Sessions last about 45 minutes.

Longer sessions of an hour allow time for a “Red Cross Ready” presentation and “Hands-Only CPR” demonstration for older campers ages 9-12.

“We try to build on and link to [safety messaging] that they have already learned at school, for example fire drills,” Ryan shared. The younger campers like the animated character of Pedro, and the older youth like practicing CPR compressions. “Even if the youth do not retain all the safety and CPR information, they may still save lives by getting help or calling 911,” added Ryan. Safety instruction builds confidence.

“Whale Tales,” the Red Cross water safety program, was shared as a take-home activity for campers to discuss with their parents or caregivers. The youth were given colorful postcards with the website address and QR code for the instructional videos starring Longfellow the Whale. This water safety program is intended for the kindergarten to grade 5 audience. Both Maureen and Ryan are enthusiastic about Whale Tales. In particular, Maureen has grandchildren ages 4 and 7 who are beginning swimming lessons. She thinks that the Whale Tales videos are engaging and will run them at Red Cross House year-round for children staying there.

What the Counselors Say

The dedicated and energetic Red Cross counselors helped make Camp Save-A-Life a fun and informative place to spend hot summer days.

“The highlight to my summer was being a counselor at Camp-Save-a-Life,” shared Julia Tran. “I wouldn’t have had an experience like this at any other job, so I am grateful to have been able to find a passion working with children and contribute to a community larger than myself.”

Julie stressed the importance of preparedness programs because emergencies can happen to anyone.

““I think a lot of people understandably forget the need to refresh basic safety skills when there are other things to think about, but if it is easy for us to forget, it is even easier for children to forget too,” she said.

Camp counselor Tracey Mclaine-Scott shared Julia’s sentiment.

“The highlight of my summer is helping young minds be more prepared and efficient in the event of a fire. I’m taking the “Red Cross Ready” presentation and sharing it with low-income families,” she said.

We applaud the entire Camp Save-A-Life Team for leading the way to foundational health and safety habits for the next generation!