HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-15-2024; 4-a - Recognition of Graduates of the 2024 Orange County Youth Preparedness Camp 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 15, 2024
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Recognition of Graduates of the 2024 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 Chase Harris, Kai Stanford, and Nicholas Welch for fulfilling all of the
requirements to graduate from the 2024 Orange County Youth Preparedness Camp, including
completion of the PREP+6 Service project, impacting the disaster readiness level of twenty-one
(21) area households.
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, 2023, and 2024.
During the July 16-19, 2024 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. 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 share additional guidance on ways to improve the household's
readiness for future disasters. The teen then verifies the kit has been created and the
communication plan has been completed.
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In 2024, Nicholas Welch and Kai Stanford of Chapel Hill and Chase Harris of Hurdle Mills
completed the camp graduation requirements and assisted a combined twenty-one (21) area
households to become better prepared for emergencies. These young leaders now posess the
skills to effectively help themselves, their families, and their communities in the event of an
emergency.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 7. Invest in services and programs that improve the health and quality of life
of the community.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board recognize Chase Harris, Kai
Stanford, and Nicholas Welch with certificates provided by Cooperative Extension honoring their
commitment to personal growth and community preparedness.