Rumblings of a forty-something year old bookmobile and practiced, steady words on disaster preparedness could be heard amid the typical shrieks, laughter, and games of summer camp in the Greater Indianapolis Area this year.
Cara McCord and I, two summer VISTAs for the American Red Cross Youth and Educational Outreach Department, made over 82 presentations to youth ranging in age from 3-17 at YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and Indy Parks over the past eight weeks. Every Monday-Thursday Cara and I would strap ourselves into the bookmobile, rattle off down the road, and wonder what the day held for us. Although we gave the same 40 minute presentation up to six times a day, the variety of our audience ensured new experiences and lessons each time we detailed the importance of Disaster Kits and Family Disaster Plans. We soon learned that nearly every group, without fail, would mistake the Emergency Blanket for a PopTart; try to convince us that jumping out of a second story window was a good idea during a fire; adhere to some unspoken rule that when in doubt, shout out “Ice pack!”; and would never, ever remember Cara’s name.
In the end, we were able to reach 1,775 youth and educate them about disaster preparedness. Every student we met this summer learned at least one new thing from our presentation, which—when the information could save a life—made every word worthwhile.
- Katie Burkhardt -
