When wildfires strike, these camps give kids a safe place to recover
Summary
Wildfires in eastern Washington forced many families to evacuate and lose their homes, including many school children and staff. Spokane public schools worked with nonprofits and local groups to quickly provide free day camps and support centers, giving children a safe place and their families much-needed help during this time.Key Facts
- The wildfires began in early August in eastern Washington and caused 60,000 people to evacuate.
- About 920 buildings were destroyed by the fires.
- Spokane public schools reported 169 students and 38 staff lost their homes; an additional 20 students in the nearby Nine Mile Falls district were also affected.
- Within a day of the fire, Spokane schools started free day camps for children of fire survivors.
- The camps are part of a practice called "education in emergencies," which provides children with routine and safety during disasters.
- Project:Camp, a nonprofit that creates free camps after disasters, helped serve hundreds of kids in Spokane.
- The schools also opened resource centers offering food, toiletries, and insurance help.
- School staff volunteered to supervise children, and meals were provided through the summer lunch program.
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