With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
When disaster strikes, this free day camp provides an outlet for kids
Project:Camp offers free pop up day camps to kids ages 6-16 following disasters.
(
Courtesy Project:Camp via Facebook
)
Listen
21:10
Providing an outlet for children during natural disasters
The recent fires have devastated and displaced thousands, many of them families with young children. Children affected by the fires have lost homes, schools, and some even family members. Beyond the physical loss is the emotional and mental toll natural disasters cause, especially to young children who can experience anxiety, depression, and trauma during these events. And while it is important for children to process these emotions, it is also important for them to remain children. Today on AirTalk, we’re joined by licensed clinical social worker, Jenni Silverstein, to talk about the trauma children often face during natural disasters like the LA fires. We’re also joined by Ozzie Baron, deputy director and co-founder ofProject:Camp, an organization that offers free day-camps to children in disaster zones, providing them with a place to process their emotions through play.
Thousands of Los Angeles residents have been displaced since fires began raging in parts of the city last week.
While this is a difficult time for everyone, it can be particularly challenging for young kids. Not only are they facing the devastation of losing their homes, in some cases, they’ve also lost routine spaces like school. Plus — simply put — the adults are likely on edge.
On a recent episode of LAist 89.3's daily news show, AirTalk, host Larry Mantle talked with Jenni Silverstein, a licensed clinical social worker, and Ozzie Baron, deputy director and co-founder of Project:Camp, which offers free day-camps to children in disaster zones.
When disaster strikes
This is not Project:Camp’s first rodeo with a natural disaster.
Sponsored message
-
Philanthropic funds helped purchase a burned lot that used to have 14 rental units. Supporters hope the project can be a model for rebuilding equitably for renters. -
Jonathan Rinderknecht has pleaded not guilty to arson, among other crimes related to the destructive and deadly January fire. -
More than 13 inches of rain fell in the Santa Ynez Mountains over the weekend. And another, colder storm is on the way.
“We can pop up a day camp anywhere in the country in about 48 hours,” Baron said.
The nonprofit launched in L.A. in 2018, but has become a national organization. It operated out of five states last year, responding to different disasters, including tornadoes and Hurricanes Helene in North Carolina and Milton in Florida. The camp also helped families during the Maui Wildfires in 2023.
While kids are having fun and getting that sense of routine...the parents can do the hard tasks that they need to do.
— Ozzie Baron, co-founder of Project:Camp
The scale of their camps depends on the scale of the disaster. Baron calls L.A.’s current situation “a truly titanic event.”
“So we are taking a regional approach to this,” he said. We opened another camp up in Santa Barbara [Wednesday] for families who went north when they evacuated, and we are actively looking for more sites on the east and west sides of L.A. as well as down south to Orange County. We’re even talking to people as far south as San Diego.”
Sponsored message
In order to process, kids need to feel safe
The free day camp is for children ages 6 to 16 and runs between about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Snacks and lunch are provided as well as a range of activities. The key component: volunteers are trained to be trauma-informed, meaning the main goal is to make sure the kids know they're safe.
“While kids are having fun and getting that sense of routine and are going through a day of programming designed to help them understand and process what they've been through, the grownups, the adults, the parents, can do the hard tasks that they need to do,” Baron said.
Advice for parents
Silverstein, the licensed clinical social worker, said routine is important for kids and disasters like this mean throwing routine out the window. But something like Project:Camp or other structured activities can help. It’s important to also minimize kids’ exposure to adult conversations and media right now.
One of her biggest pieces of advice though: “When kids are disrupted and distressed, it often comes out in behaviors and to really just be able to remember that those behaviors are communicating their distress and to have as much patience as we can muster in responding to them."
For additional resources on how to help your child through natural disasters like the L.A. fires you can go to The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Sponsored message
Listen
Listen
21:10
Providing an outlet for children during natural disasters
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
