Advocate Good Samaritan Kids Camp 911 educates emergency safety skills

DOWNERS GROVE - Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital and the Trauma Department hosted their annual Kids Camp 911 on June 15, for 9 to 12-year-olds, where they learned a range of safety tips to use during emergency situations.

Approximately 47 campers moved from station to station to participate in a hands-on learning environment, taught by 21 associate volunteers from the hospital and other local emergency officers. The campers had the opportunity to practice 911 calls to a real dispatcher and create their own first aid kits to take home. Other safety lessons and prevention techniques included sports injuries, proper nutrition, school safety and bone identification.

The Downers Grove Fire and Police departments made appearances, bringing their vehicles and equipment to the camp, along with a medical helicopter for the campers to experience too.

DuPage County Sheriff's Deputy Cliff Seward, who has participated in Kids Camp 911 for the past three years, teaches campers about avoiding alcohol and drugs, standing up to bullies and wellness skills for good mental health.

"I enjoy the positive environment and hanging out with the campers," said Seward. "I also love the impact I can make on them when they come back and tell me what they have learned, and later in life how they have applied the tips I provided."

BJ Ray, coordinator of Wellness Initiatives at Advocate Good Samaritan, created the hospital's Kids Camp 911 in 2006. Ray got the idea when she learned about the national version of the camp and visited other hospitals' programs that specifically targeted kids in this age group.

"We target 9 to 12-year-olds because they are at that stage when they are attentive, responsible, mature and inquisitive," said Ray. "The associates who volunteer for the camp can then truly relay the emotional aspect of safety to this age group as they can better understand and apply those skills in a real-life emergency."