I appreciate all the concern and well wishes and encouragement as we have navigated the tragic news out of Texas this past week. I have been talking with my camp director colleagues around the country about the challenge of mourning and holding space for the lives lost and trauma experienced at a long-celebrated camp like Camp Mystic while simultaneously cultivating the safe, fun and exciting environment at camp for all the Ernst campers and counselors who are in the thick of it right now.
But isn’t that camp? (–and real life, in fact?) –To experience both joy and sadness, to navigate conflict and build a team, to overcome challenges together, to allow the full spectrum of feelings to be felt and recognize the blessings of the moment?
My heart goes out to all those personally affected—the camps along the river, the camps in the region, the camp staff and leaders, the camp families and alumni, the emergency workers. I am praying for peace and healing and remembering their loss, sacrifices, and courage as I face my own camp today.
Some families have asked about our safety procedures here at Camp Ernst:
First, the pragmatic: We are incredibly blessed to be located in Boone County, KY, with an outstanding, well-equipped and expertly-run emergency services department. Boone County is truly THE BEST! They are very aware of us and all the kids who are here throughout the summer and they take amazing care of us. One recent example, I live here on the property with my family. Last week I was at my house, standing in my driveway about to get in my car, when I got a call from one of the camp leaders saying they were calling 911 because a junior counselor had a medical event. I left immediately to go to the part of camp where the emergency was, and the ambulance arrived at the same time as me—and I LIVE HERE!
We have EAPs (Emergency Action Plans) and risk management tools in place and work closely with our local and national YMCA offices, insurance companies, and risk consultants to make sure we are using leading practices as well as constantly reviewing incidents to improve processes and reduce gaps in implementation. We are accredited by the American Camp Association, the standard of the camping industry. Megan (Director of Camping here) and I have spent our careers in camping and youth development and continue to educate ourselves on aspects of risk management like child protection, mental health, behavior development, incident analysis, exclusionary behaviors, trauma informed care, emergency management, etc.
All of this, and I continue to come back to the single greatest “product” or “output” of the summercamp experience: CAMP COUNSELORS.
Yes, we have EAPs. Yes, we have safety protocols. Yes, we have lifeguards and nurses and tests and audits and alarms and drills and reports….but at the end of the day, our most important asset is our CAMP COUNSELORS.
If you ask me why you should send your child to camp at age 9 or 10, I will answer every time, “So they can develop independence and confidence and friendship…but mostly so they fall in love with camp and keep coming back until they’re a camp counselor.”
I am so proud of the team of young people I work with every summer, and this summer especially. You know that famous Mr. Rogers quote: “Look for the helpers”? That should be re-stated (with respect) as “Look for the camp counselors.”
In any emergency—from the biggest weather event to the dessert emergency of running out of chocolate chip cookies—give me a camp counselor.
Camp counselors:
-think on their feet
-work together
-organize a group
-are kind
-take the initiative
-are focused on others
-lead with empathy
-work hard for long hours
– add a song and maybe a dance
We can prepare (and we are prepared) for weather events. But we cannot control weather events.
What our camp counselors can more immediately affect is inclusion within a cabin group and at camp. When they focus on creating a space where everyone belongs, where adversity, hiccups, conflict and challenges are worked out and through, environments and individuals are safer. When kids feel like they have accomplished something, made a friend, and can be themselves, belonging translates into safety.
It is no surprise to me that camp counselors are at the top of the list of incredible heroes in the disaster last week in Texas. These young people are heroes in other ways every day. And the world surely needs more of them.
Ernstlove,
eli
If you’re looking for ways to help, I recommend the options the American Camp Association has put together: https://www.acacamps.org/news/how-you-can-help-texas-hill-country-camps-families