HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 01-16-24; 4-a - Recognition of Graduates of the 2023 Orange County Youth Preparedness Camp 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: January 16, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Recognition of Graduates of the 2023 Orange County Youth Preparedness
Camp
DEPARTMENT: Cooperative Extension and
Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jonathon Smith, County Extension
Director, 919-245-2057
Sarah Pickhardt, Division Chief of
Emergency Management, 919-245-
6135
Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services
Director, 919-245-6123
PURPOSE: To recognize Molly Selleck and Layla Woolfolk for fulfilling all requirements to
graduate from the 2023 Orange County Youth Preparedness Camp, including completion of the
PREP+6 Service project, impacting the disaster readiness level of fourteen (14) area families.
BACKGROUND: The Orange County Youth Preparedness Camp is an annual day camp for
Orange County teens conducted by Orange County Cooperative Extension and Orange County
Emergency Services. The Camp was first offered in 2018 and is based on the National Youth
Preparedness Initiative founded by Mississippi State Extension. The Camp has been held
annually in Orange County in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
During the June 26-30, 2023 camp, students engaged with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) curriculum, exploring topics
from search & rescue to emergency medical services to fire safety. Instructors during the week
were County emergency services professionals and members of the Orange County Sheriff's
Office, as well as employees with the Department of Social Services. Through experiential
learning activities, presenters provided insight with youth into their career paths and
responsibilities. Youth also earned CPR/AED certification and participated in a disaster simulation
to apply skills learned throughout the week.
In order to officially graduate from the camp, youth are encouraged to impact their community
preparedness level by completing the PREP+6 project. This project requires each participating
youth to help their own household as well as six other area households develop an emergency
preparedness kit and communication plan. The camp participants provide educational resources
from FEMA to each household and provide additional guidance on ways to improve the
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household's readiness for future disasters. The teen then verifies that the kit has been created
and that the communication plan has been completed.
In 2023, Molly Selleck of Chapel Hill and Layla Woolfolk of Carrboro completed the camp
graduation requirements and assisted a combined fourteen (14) area households to become
better prepared for emergencies. These young leaders now posess the skills to effectively help
their communities in the event of an emergency. They also achieved certification in CPR and AED
and are better prepared for the future.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board recognize Molly Selleck and
Layla Woolfolk with certificates provided by Cooperative Extension honoring their commitment to
personal growth and community preparedness.