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Dear parents and friends of 4-H,
Due to the many phone calls and e-mails I've received expressing concern about how the 4-H Camps and Centers are prepared for severe weather, I thought I'd share the following information with you prior to your child's trip to camp.
First, nothing is more important to us than your child’s safety, it is absolutely our highest priority. Our summer program staff are thoroughly trained in severe weather procedures and rehearse their training many times before the camping season begins. On the first day of every camp session as campers arrive in their cabin their counselors review the posted severe weather and emergency procedures with them. Then, prior to the first meal, the camp director gives a safety presentation. Severe weather and emergency procedures are again addressed. This means that on the first day of camp, campers are specifically told twice exactly how the camp will handle severe weather, what the signals are, and exactly where the shelters are.
Here at the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center, our facilities are designed for severe weather. The primary shelter is the camp lodge. In addition to poured concrete floors and walls there is a ramp between the upper and lower levels of the lodge. This ramp has concrete walls, floor and ceiling. This is where the campers report during program hours at camp.
If the campers are already in their cabins, the campers on the upper level of each cabin are moved to the lower level. The campers already on the lower level grab their sleeping bags and pillows and head underneath their bunks. The campers from the upper level go into the bathroom. All 10 cabins have poured concrete interior and exterior walls, floor, and ceiling. The exterior and the bathroom doors are steel doors. Additionally, there is a staff member in each cabin with a radio. No one leaves a cabin until they are told it is safe to do so.
So, in either situation campers and staff weather any storms together in our securest locations at camp. Additionally, the camp health assistant and program director are in the lodge monitoring the weather radio and Internet. If the camp director is not at camp they have a weather radio in their homes. As soon as it is safe, he or she gets to camp as quickly as possible. Finally, we also have written procedures in place with nearby emergency responders. These procedures are reviewed and agreed to in writing every year prior to the first camp session.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and 4-H take pride in being well prepared to serve Nebraska youth and families. If you have any further questions please feel free to call the camp director.
Buzz Wheeler
Camp Director
Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center
Work: (402) 332-4496
Fax: (402) 332-2580
Cell: (402) 968-7848
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