Kids do their bit for storm safety, awareness
By Brandy Nance (Contact)
Originally published 01:16 p.m., June 20, 2008
Updated 01:16 p.m., June 20, 2008
Photo by Brandy Nance
A group of young students from Camp United created signs that indicate where people can take shelter in case of a storm. The signs hang in store fronts in Cottonwood Falls and Strong City. Camp United is a day camp in Cottonwood Falls for children ages 5 to 10. Front row, from left, are Cole Grayson, Kelsey Lauer, Landry Hinkson, Morgan Spinden, Tanner Koch and Levi Sharp. Back row, from left, are Jacob Sharp, Luke Wiessel, Ken Mackey and Bradley Dedeaux.
COTTONWOOD FALLS — In case of a storm in Cottonwood Falls, residents and visitors will know where the shelters are, thanks to a dedicated group of 5-to 10-year-olds at Camp United.
Camp United — a day camp for children — is held in June in Chase County. It’s sponsored by Chase County Elementary School, Chase County Recreation Commission, Imagine Chase County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Flint Hills and the Chase County Sheriff’s Department. The camp is free and meets every Monday through Thursday morning. Throughout the month of June, the children participate in activities.
This year, Janet Ayers, executive director, decided to add a project the children could take ownership in. The storm signs are laminated on 8-inch by 5-inch cards. The front reads either “In case of storm, shelter in building” or “In case of storm, basement in building.” The signs dot the storefronts of Cottonwood Falls and Strong City.
The children assembled the signs.
“The whole point of this project was to teach the children that even if you’re 5 years old you can contribute to your community,” Ayers said. “The important thing was the children got to take ownership. ... Even the little kids know the importance and meaning (of the signs).”
As the children in the camp walked from Chase County Elementary School to downtown Cottonwood Falls for Thursday’s field trip, they proudly pointed out their signs.
“Downtown, they see signs and it reinforces what they do for the community,” Ayers said.
Ken Mackey of Flint Hills Gallery in Cottonwood Falls, stopped to pose for a picture with the children and the signs. He has a basement in his building that can be used in a storm.
“It’s a great deal,” Mackey said. “Especially for people who don’t know where to go.”
Bradley Dedeaux, a 7-year-old camper, said he enjoyed making the signs.
“We made the signs for people who don’t have basements,” Bradley said. “If they drive through town and if they see a sign they can go to a shelter ... I feel happy that I made the community happier.”
Landry Hinkson, 6, explained that the signs were made by gluing the printed sign to construction paper. On the back, the child who made the sign got to autograph it.
“I’m glad we made them, because if there’s gonna be a storm that night people could use the basement if they don’t have one,” Landry said.
Jacob Sharp, 8, is involved in Cub Scouts as well as Camp United. The storm sign project is a good opportunity for him to share this project with other Scouts, Ayers said.
“So people can go to those places if a storm comes,” Jacob said. “It will make them (the people making the signs) feel good.”
Jacob shared what he liked about the project.
“I liked walking downtown and putting (the signs) in windows,” he said.
Businesses wanted a sign to display may call (620) 273-6467 before June 26.
Comments
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Posted by Mypoint (anonymous) on June 21, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a nice story… It is refreshing to see good news in the paper and to see kids doing things to support the community.
Posted by truman (anonymous) on June 23, 2008 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations to Camp United participants and to Janet Ayers, executive director. I hope other groups will repeat this valuable community service in other town. These kids are wonderful!
Posted by marebear14 (anonymous) on June 23, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job on the signs. The kids are really proud of themselves for making these signs and distributing them to the local businesses. Thank you
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