MANTENO, Ill. (WLS) — As search and rescue efforts continue in Texas, the devastation is putting safety top of mind for local kids camps.
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At Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See, the Rock Creek water can get high, however the risk of flooding is low.
Regardless of the low risk, organizers say they have multiple emergency back up plans in place, including a manual siren.
“We have to be ready to take action and do whatever is necessary to ensure their safety,” explained Camp Shaw assistant director Breanna Gifford. “Our counselors undergo a week-long staff training at the start of the summer, during which we cover comprehensive emergency procedures for a variety of different situations.”
The death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas over the July Fourth weekend surpassed 100 on Monday.
The likelihood of a flash flood is low in Manteno, Illinois, but that the risk of tornadoes and severe storms is present.
The camp is equipped with electric sirens that can be heard throughout the entire 100-acre property, a manual siren as a backup, and each counselor carries a walkie-talkie.
“On their very first morning at camp, the campers participate in a tornado drill so they become familiar with the siren sound and learn to follow their counselors to safe areas,” stated Camp Shaw Board President Mark Steffen.
Last summer, Camp Shaw experienced a tornado warning that activated their safety protocols.
Steffen said they only hire staff who understand in emergencies the kids have to come first.
“We end up caring about them a lot,” Gifford said. “So, then it is even more difficult to think about, you know, if an emergency were to happen, what we would need to do.”
When parents register their kids at Camp Shaw, they get a list of numbers and social media pages that are consistently updated, especially during emergencies.
ABC7 reached out to the Department of Natural Resources, which oversees campgrounds in state parks , for safety protocols but has yet to hear back.
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