Camp Clay to host Preparedness Camp

YMCA of Van Wert County information

Need to learn more about how to survive in an emergency? The YMCA of Van Wert County has a special weekend planned to do just that. The YMCA Camp Clay facility will be hosting the fourth “Emergency Preparedness Camp” weekend event this weekend at 9196 Liberty Union Road west of Van Wert.

As local residents learned when the recent windstorm emergencies hit without warning, people may not be as prepared as they think to keep their families safe and ready.

Come out and learn what resources are available and what people can do to be prepared to meet their family’s needs in an emergency!

Participants can either camp for the entire weekend or just come out for the seminars. Camping is $20 per adult, $10 per child, or $40 for a whole family for the weekend, with Friday and Sunday bonus classes not available to the public.

A primitive skills demonstration, inexpensive food storage, a bug-out bag, a visit to an off-grid home to see a fully functioning self-providing solar home and lots of community talk time, and a tour of one of Van Wert County’s shelter areas, Vantage Career Center, with a bonus tour of Vantage’s new solar collection array are planned.

This is a great way to network with others. Showers, indoor restrooms, catch and release fishing are also available. No electrical or sewer hookup (it’s a bug out!). Participants have to provide all their own power via generators, solar, batteries or just do without.

Saturday is the day to show up for those interested primarily in the seminars. The public is invited 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the cost of $5 each, while kids 12 years of age and under free.

Guest speakers are as follows:

• 10 a.m. – Question-and-answer period with Mark Klausing, director of the Red Cross Disaster Relief Committee.
• 11 a.m. — Curt Shaffner, generator repair and maintenance
• 1 p.m. — Food and water storage
• 2 p.m. — Van Wert County Sherriff Thomas Riggenbach: Home security
• 3 p.m. — Tour the on-site camps and look at the variety of gear.

“We do not know what kind of emergencies are going to hit us; we do know that ice storms, blizzards, tornados, and wind have caused major power outages just in my lifetime,” says Clint Myers, Camp Clay facilitator. “That is why, with some minimal preparations, you can ensure you and your family are safe and ready for what may come our way.”

More information can be found at www.vwymca.org. The YMCA of Van Wert County is partially funded by the Van Wert County Foundation and United Way.