Camp teaches students to ‘be ready’

PHIL CAMPBELL –

Jill Harris, a fifth grade science teacher at Phil Campbell Elementary, selected students as fifth graders to be eligible to apply for Be Ready Camp.

“I selected the students based on academic effort, character and creativity,” Harris said. “After I selected these students, they had to apply through the governor’s office because they make the final decision on the participants.” 

The students were given the option of writing an essay, sending a video essay, or creating a poster to apply.

After being chosen, the students were assigned to one of the two camp sessions held during Sept. 7 – 11 and Sept. 14 – 18.

“There were so many students to apply this year that they split the camp up into two different sessions, which is a testament to how good the program is,” Phil Campbell Elementary Principal Jackie Ergle said.

The students all agreed that the camp was something they were glad to have participated in.

“I wanted to go to the camp because I thought it would be fun,” Reed said. “It ended up being really fun and we learned a lot while we were there too.”

“I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity so I wanted to do it while I could,” Litteral said.

The students learned skills such as fire safety, search and rescue, first aid, terrorism awareness, how to triage victims, and how to develop a disaster plan.

“They had us do a mock disaster towards the end of camp,” Allen said. “It looked real and we had to use all the skills we learned that week to help save the victims.”

Ergle said the camp is part of the state’s plan to prepare for the future so that if disasters like Sept. 11 ever occur, civilians will know what to do.

“We learned how to stay calm and to not panic in a disaster,” Swinney said. “They said this was very important so you can communicate.”

Litteral added that they also learned how to build a fire and make a shelter.

Camp participants were given backpacks containing different survival tools like a flashlight, safety goggles, bandages and an insulated blanked. They were also taught how to use these items properly.

“This was really a big honor for these kids,” Phil Campbell Elementary Principal Jackie Ergle said. “They seem to have had a good time while learning very important skills that might benefit them in the future.”

Other schools in the area with students participating in Be Ready Camp included Russellville Middle School and East Franklin Junior High.