Tom Dugger, Dan Beard Council scout executive/CEO, said its main resident facility, Camp Friedlander near Milford, gives an orientation to campers and conducts a safety drill during the first day. More than 500 Scouts and 200 adult leaders and staff members stay overnight in large wall tents in each of the 23 campsites throughout the wooded area during its summer season. Another 400-plus Scouts participate in day programs.
He said Boy Scouts will evacuate to the various brick shower houses or other shelters throughout the camp as well as to the dining hall that can accommodate 700 people. The camp also goes through an annual assessment and peer review using a 200-point measurement scale. This week, the camp received a rating of 100 percent on its annual assessment, according to Dugger.
“We drill and we watch,” said Dugger, who has had a 40-year career in Scouting. “We stay up on all the weather sites and have alert radios and smartphone apps. A big part of this is being aware.”
In addition to camp sirens, there is also a large siren operated by Clermont County nearby. Camp staff is pre-deployed to be sure their area of responsibility is taking shelter during a weather emergency.
Dugger also knows first-hand about how the camp reacts during severe weather. Three years ago while camping with his son’s troop, he said they had to evacuate to one of the shelter houses.
“All of us grieve over the loss at that camp (in Indiana) and our thoughts and prayers are with that family and camp,” he said. “It’s a good camp with good people.”
In Warren County, the Salvation Army’s Camp Swoneky near Oregonia, also keeps a close eye on the weather at all times.
The camp, which serves 200 youths ages 7-13 each week during the summer, utilizes a lightning detector that monitors lightning within a 20-mile radius.
“It’s necessary and it’s an extra layer of protection,” said Maj. Larry Ashcraft, the Salvation Army’s divisional commander for southwest Ohio and northeast Kentucky.
When severe weather develops, Sherry Machado, assistant camp director, said campers head indoors to do their activities.
Camp counselors, who are always with the campers, go through the safety protocols with the campers so they know what to do and where to go when severe weather sirens go off, she said. She also said during the night, campers will go to the center of the cabin where the showers are or will be taken to a new building that has a large basement.
“It was tragedy,” Machado said of the death in Indiana. “Accidents cause people to re-think protocols to make sure it doesn’t happen here.”
At nearby YMCA Camp Kern, director Chris Addison said he and his staff also keep a close eye on weather forecasts and have an emergency action plan ready to use.
He said during tornado watches, campers are moved to bathhouses and larger buildings with basements.
The camp, operated by the Greater Dayton YMCA, serves 200 to 300 campers a week during its eight-week season.
“All counselors are trained to know where the nearest shelters and secure buildings are,” he said. “Safety is always a top concern and absolutely our number one priority.”
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