Safety Camps for Kids

Although it is a good idea to try to have a camp with no registration fee, depending on the type of camp, you may find that people are more committed to the camp if you require a small fee. Provide a few scholarships for those who are unable to pay.

For a smooth running camp, advance registration is advised.

Timing and Transportation

There are several factors to be considered when choosing the date and time of your camp. One major factor in making these decisions is transportation of the children to the camp.

• Will parents be able to bring their children before work and pick them up after?
• Will the local school(s) provide bus transportation?

Other factors include the following:

• Does the community need summer programs for kids? After school programs?
• Are other youth events going on that might conflict with participation in the camp (e.g., 4-H contest, FFA events, Girl/Boy Scout events, etc.)?
• Will you be able to be inside at peak hours to avoid too much sun exposure?
• Will you be able to hold the attention of your targeted age group for the length of time you are planning?
• When are volunteers available?
• Will meals and snacks be provided?

Group Leader Approach

One effective and efficient way to structure your camp, particularly if you expect a large turnout, is to use a group leader approach.

Using this approach, the youth are placed in groups of 10 to 15 kids per 2 adult volunteers. In this way, kids can go immediately to their groups and meet their group leaders and fellow campers while waiting for the camp events to officially begin. This is a way to separate age levels so that you can move them smoothly and appropriately through the different workshops and demonstrations of the camp.

Assign a group name for the children to identify with or let them name themselves. Mark areas for groups to sit by color, number, or name during lunch, etc.

Volunteers

Two volunteers per 10 to 15 kids will be needed for group leadership. Other volunteers are needed to man booths, present workshops, and do demonstrations. Consider older 4-H'ers to work on safety issues for their record books and have them present at the camp.

Volunteers can act as runners to help with any last minute details, supplies, phone calls, etc. Volunteers may also serve lunches, stuff goodie bags, handout registration materials, etc.

Facility Set Up

Choosing an appropriate facility and setting it up in a way that will allow the camp to run smoothly is important.

• Have activities for older and younger kids separated slightly to avoid confusion and to avoid having to walk back and forth long distances across the grounds (unless of course you're doing a safe walking, pedestrian safety, or exercise activity).
• Consider a rotation of activities every 30 to 60 minutes to keep the kids moving, yet allowing enough time for hands-on experiences. Have watches synchronized or a central clock to keep groups flowing from one workshop/demonstration to the next in a smooth, timely fashion.
• Keep paths between workshop/demonstration wide for easy passage and clear of any debris or supplies.

See the Health Fair Planning Guide for more detailed planning information and additional activity ideas. [http://fcs.tamu.edu/health/health_fair_planning_guide/index.htm]

Questions, Questions...

Being prepared to answer common questions can help your camp run smoothly. Discuss answers to the following questions prior to the camp. Have everyone be consistent in their answers to these questions.

Parent Questions

• I can help with/visit the camp part of the day, is that all right?
• Could you please put both my kids in the same group, even though they are different ages?
• May I drop my child off 30 minutes before registration on my way to work?
• I know my child is a year older than the ages you set for your camp, but can she come anyway?
• I would like my child to go to the camp, but we just can't afford it right now. Is there anything I can do?

Camper Questions

• May I change groups? I don't know any of these kids and I want to be with my friends?
• Can you give me something for a headache?
• Do you have a band-aid?
• Do I have to go to the tractor safety session (or any other session)?
• I'm allergic to oranges (or any other snack), may I have something else? (Adapted from Farm Safety by Progressive Farmer.)

Consider other questions you might be asked based on your particular camp structure and activities. Prepare answers in advance and discuss them with your volunteers prior to campers' arrival.

Safety Camp: New Ideas and Activities

Many specialists, agents, and others have shared innovative hands-on activities that are great for a camp setting. You may have done similar activities at health fairs, expos, etc. A camp, however, gives children the opportunity and the time to really delve into these activities. Be sure to allow enough time at each station for kids to really get hands on experience.

Batter of Blunder? (Food Safety)

The objective of this activity is to teach children (and parents) the importance of labeling foods and other materials, and keeping foods separate from other items such as cleaning products.

Preparation

Place the following items into clear, plastic containers and label each with a letter so that you can identify them, but participants cannot identify them:

• All-purpose flour
• Baby powder
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Boric acid
• Cake flour
• Powdered cleanser
• Powdered detergent
• Garlic powder
• MSG (monosodium glutamate)
• Plant food
• Powdered sugar
• Salt
• Granulated sugar
• Powdered eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Liquid tile/linoleum floor cleaner
• Liquid wood floor cleaner

Be sure containers are sealed tightly to avoid accidents and odors.

Activity

Give each participant the following recipe with a blank line next to each ingredient:

• _____1 1/2 cups sifted cake flour
• _____1/2 tsp. salt
• _____1/2 cup sugar
• _____1 tsp. baking powder
• _____1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
• _____4 eggs
• _____1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Place these instructions at the top of the recipe:

"On the lines below, write the letters of the white powders you matched from the containers. Would your cake be a prize winning recipe?"

Inspector Health (Food Safety)

Introductory Information

People can get very sick from food when bacteria has been allowed to grow on it. This is known as foodborne illness. By practicing safe food handling, however, we can prevent such illness. There are three keys to safe food handling:

1. Cleanliness
2. Temperature
3. Time.

Bacteria can spread from any surface onto food. Bacteria like people -- they can live in their hair, noses, mouths, intestinal tracts, and on their hands. That's why washing our hands is especially important in food handling. You should always wash your hands after using the bathroom, sneezing, blowing your nose, and before and after eating. Be sure to use soap and running water and wash your hands for a long enough period of time to get rid of any germs or bacteria. To make sure you are washing your hands long enough, try singing the ABC's song while you wash.

Now that we've covered cleanliness, on to time and temperature. Bacteria grow best in a temperature range of 40° F to 140° F. This is called the Danger Zone. Foods should never be allowed to remain in this temperature range for more than two hours. Otherwise, bacteria are in the prime situation to grow on your food.

Let's review...

1. Keep clean of bacteria by washing hands. This should be done with soap, running water, and long enough to sing your ABC's.
2. Keep out of the Danger Zone. Don't let foods sit in temperatures of 40° F to 140° F for more than two hours.

Now, let's help Inspector Health keep his kitchen clean of bacteria...

Activity

Have an individual dress up in a lab coat or trench coat, oversized glasses, giant name tag ("Inspector Health"), with a magnifying glass go around and inspect a mock kitchen. Use food models, a thermometer (or make a mock thermometer out of poster board big enough for the kids to read, use boxes to depict a refrigerator and stove. Ask the kids to shout "No, Inspector Health" each time he/she makes a mistake (e.g., doesn't say ABC's while washing hands, leaves food out too long without putting it in the oven or refrigerator, sneezes and then handles food, etc.). Keep it light-hearted and fun. Have Inspector Health call kids out of the audience to help correct his/her actions. This will give them a hands-on approach.

Alternate Activity

Place kids in teams after presenting introductory information. Make mock kitchen with items left out, no soap at the sink, etc. Have each group write down the food safety problems they see and what they would do to correct the situation. Give small prizes for each correct answer.

Do the Buckle (Passenger Safety)

The Chrysler Corporation's "Do the Buckle" tour makes seatbelt usage cool for kids. A fleet of brightly-colored Chrysler minivans carrying a high-energy MTV-style safety music video and hands-on demonstrations for safety devices on autos, travels throughout the United States. A two person team will travel in each minivan and perform on-site safety demonstrations and experiments. The theme song and dance "Do the Buckle" is a takeoff of the song "Do the Hustle." There is a video that features Bucky with an introduction by Bill Nye, the Science Guy, and the Chrysler Chairman and CEO.

If you're interested in the tour coming to your area, call 1-877-TOBUCKY.

Grain Safety: Can You Pull OUt the Plywood? (Farm Safety)

Why is grain safety important? More than 200 farmers or family members have died in grain within the past three decades. One-third of all people trapped in flowing grain are children. The real tragedy is that many people who've been caught in a grain wagon, bin, or storage area did not understand the risks they were taking by being in such a situation. People often underestimate the speed and great force at which grain entrapments occur.

Everyone exposed to grain handling equipment is at risk. Children are at a greater risk because they are naturally curious, lack knowledge, are smaller than adults, and can be submerged quickly. Even adults do not have the physical strength to pull themselves out of grain before they become entrapped. Death can occur in less than ten seconds, resulting in suffocation beneath the surface of the grain.

Objective

In this activity, students will try to pull a wooden disk out of a container of grain, a task that is more difficult than most students anticipate.

Materials Needed

• Plywood disk -- 2 feet in diameter with a hole in the middle for the rope
• Rope -- 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter, 60 inches long
• Large container (such as livestock watering trough) -- Minimum of 2 feet deep (can substitute 30-gallon trash container)
• Grain to fill container (such as corn or soybean)

Directions

1. Pull one end of the rope through the hole on the plywood disk and secure with a knot. The disk is about the same diameter as a human body if you were on a ladder and looked down on a person.
2. Place the disk at the bottom of the container. While holding the rope, fill the container with grain so that it is at least 2 feet deep. The free end of the rope should be above the surface of the grain.
3. Ask students to try to pull out the disk using the free end of the rope. The force required will depend on the depth of the grain covering the disk.

Additional Challenge

Some teenagers may be able to pull the disk out of the grain. You may want to add a 60 to 80 pound tractor wheel weight to the disk, approximately the weight of a small person.

DWEyes/Fatal Vision

Obtaining a license to drive is a major milestone for youth, and a necessity for the majority of citizens. Teens must realize one of the major responsibilities of having a driver's license is to be aware of the risk associated with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (1997), 30% of all fatalities were the result of alcohol-related crashes. Zero tolerance is the law for minors in Texas.

To engage kids in a drunk or drugged driver prevention program, consider using the DWEyes Fatal Vision kit and goggles. When participants wear the goggles they experience the visual distortion, loss of balance, and lack of control that make drinking drivers so dangerous.

This hands-on teaching method helps to demonstrate the impairing effects of drugs and alcohol, and how quickly impairment can turn fun into devastating consequences. The DWEyes kit includes:

• Instructor's guide
• Walk the Line
• Stand on One Leg
• Touch an Object
• Give a High Five
• Pick up Objects
• Dribbling Drills
• Shooting Baskets
• Playing Catch
• Maneuver a Course

These activities help to show that normally good reflexes mean nothing when a person is impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Two for One Skit: Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap (Sun Safety)

Have one person sit on a stool with their hands behind their back. Place a second person behind them and have them put their arms through/under the front person's arm pits. Follow the script below.

Front Person (FP): I'm so excited, I'm going to a swimming party (or party at the beach).

Back Person (BP): Wave arms in excitement or throw beach ball into audience.

FP: So, what do I need to do to get ready?

BP: Put index finger up to FP's temple.

FP: First I need to get my bathing suit. Pull bathing suit from bag and place in BP's hands.

BP: Fling bathing suit into audience.

FP: And I really want to be fresh and looking good...there will be lots of good looking guys/girls there. (Pull brush, tooth brush, and deodorant from bag as needed and place in BP's hands).

BP: Put deodorant under your arm pits (BP). Brush hair and teeth of FP.

FP: It's a little cloudy, so I guess I don't need to worry about that tan I was going to get (pause, looking up at the sky).

BP: Lightly slap FP's cheek.

FP: Oh yeah...I just remembered, my friend told me that a tan is just the sun's way of damaging your skin...and, did you know, she said the sun can even damage your skin and cause ugly, painful sunburn or even skin cancer through the clouds?!?! Well, she said those nasty ultraviolet (UV) rays can even penetrate through the clouds. So, I guess I'd better slip, slop, slap, and wrap before I go!

Let's see, first I need to SLIP (emphasize) on a shirt. (Hand shirt to BP.)

BP: Place shirt over FP's Head and your (BP) arms. (Choose an oversized shirt that's bright and funny).

FP: Then I need to SLOP (emphasize) on some sunscreen with an SPF (that's sun protection factor) of 15 or higher. (Place sunscreen in BP's hands.)

BP: Squeeze sunscreen into hands and slop onto FP's face (be careful of FP's eyes). Place the sunscreen on your own arms. Then open some lip balm with SPF 15 or higher and place it on FP's lips.

FP: Better not forget to SLAP (emphasize) on my hat. (Place hat in BP's hands. Use large-brimmed funny hat to add humor).

BP: Place hat on FP's head.

FP: Oh yeah, I better not forget to WRAP (emphasize) on my cool shades. (Place sunglasses in BP's hands).

BP: Carefully place shades on FP. (Choose large, brightly colored sunglasses for added humor).

FP: Okay, I'm ready to go. Wish me luck with all those cute guys/girls.

(Adapted from information in the American Cancer Society's Sun Basics, June, 1999.)

Don't Forget Elvis (Passenger Safety)

Call the the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Rural Passenger Safety Education group (979-862-4855) to reserve your Elvis Presley costumes. There are two Elvis costumes -- one white sequined, one black sequined. These Elvis look alike costumes are designed to be used by teens and include cassettes for lip synching songs including the following:

• Buckle Up
• Don't be Another DUI
• Chief Operator

This is a fun activity to add to teen alcohol awareness, or to have your teens present for a younger audience.

Baby's Point of View (Home/Child Safety)

Target

Children who have siblings age 6 months to one year.

Goal

To help children understand how their young siblings can be exposed to dangers in the home.

Preparation

Arrange a room to simulate a kitchen or living room. You can set up a mock kitchen using large boxes as cabinets, refrigerators, and stoves (draw knobs and handles on the boxes) and long tables as countertops. Discuss the following list of things that could be hazardous to a young child:

• Plastic bags
• Cleaners/dish washing detergents
• Pesticides
• Furniture polish
• Kerosene, gasoline, lamp oil, and other petroleum products
• Scissors, pocket knifes
• Thumb nails
• Screws
• Coins
• Medicines which don't have child-resistant caps
• Buttons
• Toothpicks
• Pins and needles
• Cosmetics not capped well
• Clorox
• Knives
• Can you think of any?

Place these hazardous items in cabinets, drawers, counters or tables. You may want to place some non-hazardous items to challenge students in distinguishing the potentially harmful ones among them (e.g., Tupperware, blankets, baby toys, etc.)

Before the Activity

Educate students about the following:

• Babies (0 to 1 year old) and young toddlers (1 to 2 years old who have started walking) can be exposed to dangers, even in their own homes.
• Young children of this age group love to learn new things in their environment. Once they are mobile (crawl or walk), they are eager to do their own exploration. Exploring behaviors should be encouraged in a safe and clean environment.
• Babies and toddlers like to use their mouth to examine things. They put almost every new item they see in their mouth. Therefore, items which contain poisonous chemicals including cleaners and pesticides, and things which are small enough for a child to swallow (which could cause choking) should be kept out of their sight and reach.
• Besides their mouth, babies and toddlers also love to probe with their fingers. They like to grab hold of anything their fingers can reach. Things which have sharp edges, exposed pins, sharp barbs, or nails could hurt a child's fragile and soft skin.

Say to Students

Imagine you're a baby and you can't walk yet, but you can stand when holding on to something firm. You like to explore things by crawling around the rooms in your home. You can open drawers, closets, and cabinets with a little effort (unless they have child-proof locks). You're curious and like to touch things and put them in your mouth. Your parents or caregivers probably keep you under close supervision, but can't watch you every minute. They might not be aware of some of the dangers in your home.

What Students Need To Do

Crawl around the room. Explore the room by going into closets, cabinets and drawers they're able to reach from this height. Write down anything that could cause harm and how the item could be dangerous (e.g., "A penny found in a drawer -- baby could swallow it and choke").

After the Activity

Have participants get into groups of four or five and ask them to discuss what they can do to protect their younger siblings from harmful household items, how they can make their parents aware, and have them rearrange the potentially harmful items to appropriate places in a group effort.

• Put those items in a high cabinet or closet.
• Use child-proof locks for cabinets and drawers which contain those items.
• Remember to place items back to original locations after usage instead of leaving them somewhere accessible by a young child.
• Replace the hazardous items with some safe items in the closets, cabinets, and/or drawers so young siblings can safely explore those places.

Alternate Activity for Sibling Safety (Home/Child Safety)

Put out several toys which are common among the age group of your campers. Ask campers to think of several of their own toys at home. Have them check whether they are safe for their young siblings based on the following criteria:

• Does the toy have small parts which could be swallowed by babies and toddlers?
• Does the toy have sharp edges, exposed pins, sharp barbs, or nails?

Ask:

• Under what kinds of situations would your siblings be exposed to your toys?
• Are your toys, which could cause dangers to young siblings, placed in an appropriate place where they can't reach them without your supervision?

Conflict Resolution

Safely handling conflict can prevent many accidents and acts of violence. The following resource is available for your use by loan from Family Life Specialists:

Ready-to-Use Conflict Resolution Activities for Elementary Students by Beth Teolis.

Robots: Trooper Bud and McGruff (Passenger Safety)

McGruff and Trooper Bud are safety educational robots, used in programs given by DPS officers, to demonstrate and talk about safety to children. Safety topics include: vehicle safety, bicycle safety, drugs and alcohol, and personal safety. Programs with the robots can be reserved through the Safety Education Lieutenants in each region of Texas.

Safety Education Officers

• Region 1: Lt. Benjamin Valdez, Garland, Texas, (214) 861-2352
• Region 2: Lt. Robert Gilbert, Jr., Houston, Texas, (713) 957-6122
• Region 3: Lt. Jimmie Kaelin, Corpus Christi, Texas, (361) 854-2681
• Region 4: Lt. Judy Altom, Midland, Texas, (915) 697-2211
• Region 5: Lt. Steve Shantley, Lubbock, Texas, (806) 747-4491
• Region 6: Lt. James Whaley, Waco, Texas, (254) 867-4647

Safety Bingo (Home Safety)

Safety bingo is played much like regular bingo, except, rather than reading out letters and numbers, the "caller" reads out key words representing hazards around the home.

Below you will find a list of hazards and ways to correct them. Write each key word or phrase (those in bold) on a card and put it in a box, fish bowl, or hat. Shake them up, pick a card out, and read it. Then read the hazard and correction. Have participants place their marker on the key word on their bingo card (you can make copies of the 5 bingo cards supplied in this newsletter or make your own).

Hazards to correct for safety around the home:

1. A rake is lying on the lawn with its teeth facing up. Clear the yard of tripping hazards whenever you leave it, even if "only for a moment."
2. Power lines to the house are going through the branches of a nearby tree. A storm could cause a branch to break a line and cause a blackout, fire or electrical shock. Trim tree branches way back from power lines.
3. An electrical outlet on the exterior of the house has no weatherproof cover. Moisture could cause a short-circuit or overload. Replace standard outlets outdoors with weather proof versions.
4. The motor of a gasoline-powered mower is idling unattended, with rubber bands on the handles holding the throttle controls open. The mower could start rolling out of control. Never attempt to override the automatic shutoff controls of a machine or power tool and never leave one unattended.
5. The base of the ladder is too close to the house, and the top of the ladder extends too far above the roof. The climber could tip backwards when he reaches the roof. Stabilize ladders using the "four-to-one" rule: set the base of the ladder one foot away from the wall for every four feet of ladder height.
6. An open can of gasoline sits next to the mower. Gas vapors can be ignited by a motor's spark plug and cause a fire. Always start a power mower at least 10 feet from its fuel and never start the mower inside a garage.
7. A pile of wood, weeds and debris is close to the house. Not only is this a fire danger, it can harbor vermin, poisonous spiders, and termites. Clear debris and dry brushes or weeds at least 30 feet from around your house.
8. A lamp shade has a burn spot on it, which indicates that the bulb wattage is too high for the lamp. Observe the wattage limits of lamps or, if none is indicated, use a 60-watt bulb.
9. Skateboard is left on the floor at the foot of the bed. It is likely to cause someone to slip and fall if they step on it or trip on it. Make sure all toys and similar obstacles are put away when not in use.
10. Use of electrical extension cord should be limited. Make sure cord is suitable for the power use it will support. Example: Use a heavy duty cord with any heating appliance such as a heater. Limit the number of cords to the actual number of outlets you have and limit your power usage to your power resources. Do not use frayed cords.
11. Smoke detectors should be located near each bedroom.
12. Open drawers should be closed when not in use. An open drawer on a chest or file cabinet can trip someone. An open top drawer could cause a top-heavy file cabinet to topple forward or someone bending over could strike their head on the drawer when they stand up.
13. Electrical outlet covers should be installed on all outlets that are within children's reach. These covers should be childproof.
14. Medicine bottles should be in childproof containers, out of reach of children, and preferably stored in a locked cabinet.
15. Hair dryer and other electrical appliances must be kept away from water and don't use them with wet hands or when standing in water.
16. Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) should be installed on all electrical outlets in areas with moisture or water near to prevent shocks and circuit overloads.
17. Bathtubs should have non-slip strips, decals, or mats to prevent slipping.
18. Household chemicals should be stored in a cool place out of direct sunlight and away from children, toys, pets, food, dishes, pans, and eating utensils.
19. Poison control center telephone number should posted near the telephone in case of accidental poisoning.
20. Instructions and warnings on a chemical's container should be followed for the use and disposal of the chemical.
21. Ventilation is critical when working with chemicals or paint in the home.
22. Fire extinguisher that is multipurpose (ABC-type) should be handy to the kitchen. Know how to use it and make sure its date of effectiveness has not expired.
23. Guns in the home is a decision made by each family. If you or children in your family are going to be around guns, get training and practice with proper gun safety techniques and gun use for all family members.
24. Eye goggles or safety glasses should be worn when painting, drilling, hammering, sawing, filing, sanding or doing anything that could send something flying into your face.

County Highlights

For the last several years, Ilene Miller, CEA - Bell County, has applied for and received support from Progressive Farmer to do a Farm Safety Camp. This Farm Safety Day Camp has become a cooperative effort with Extension staff members in Bell, Coryell, Falls, Milam and McLennan Counties. Partners for the 1997-1999 camps have also included the Temple Fire Department, City of Temple, and the Texas Early Day Tractor and Engine Association.

Working together, these counties have been able to involve more than 75 volunteers to conduct small group, hands-on workshops on a variety of topics, including the following:

• food safety
• kitchen safety
• hand tool safety
• gun safety
• bicycle safety
• C.P.R.
• first aid
• water safety
• emergency preparedness
• using 911
• electrical safety
• weather safety
• tractor safety
• lawn mower safety
• chemical use
• safe handling of livestock
• poison prevention
• accident simulation
• smoke house

Some of the most effective volunteer leaders who have participated are Senior 4-H members who used their method demonstrations as part of their session. This gives the 4-H'ers a great leadership opportunity and lots of practice before going to Texas 4-H Round-Up.

Sincerest thanks to County Extension Agents Ilene Miller, Flo Jasper, Tracy Lum, Patricia Hohensee, and Susan Richey for their invaluable information on best practices for health and safety day camps, which contributed to the suggestions throughout this newsletter.

Resource Personnel

The following group of Specialists, Associates, Assistants, and Project Coordinators have been instrumental in developing and providing the activities in this newsletter. I would like to thank them and suggest you call upon them for further information on these and other ideas for safety camps in their areas of expertise.

• Jenna Anding, Nutrition Specialist
• Monica Denny, Agricultural and Environmental Safety Assistant
• Jennifer Finney Janssen, Cancer Council Project Assistant
• Donna Garrett, HERO Area Coordinator
• Kathleen Greer, HERO Project Program Coordinator
• Janie Harris, Housing and Environment Specialist
• Myrna Hill, Passenger Safety Assistant
• Rosemarie Hoffman, Individual and Family Development Specialist
• Karen Jensen, Food and Nutrition Assistant
• Bev Kellner, Passenger Safety Assistant
• Dana Runyan, Passenger Safety Assistant
• Luwana Rider, HERO Area Coordinator
• Bryan Shaw, Agricultural Engineering Specialist (Agriculture and Environmental Safety)

Also, consult the following Extension, safety-related websites:

• Agricultural and Environmental Safety [http://agenvsafety.tamu.edu/]
• Food Safety [http://foodsafety.tamu.edu/]
• Rural Passenger Safety Education [http://fcs.tamu.edu/safety/index.htm]

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Last updated: 7 January, 2008

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Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.