Disaster Impacted Children Need You - Volunteer for Camp!

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A week of fun and healing for children impacted by the 2019 floods and/or COVID-19.

When: September 25/26 & October 2/3, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Where: St. John the Baptist School, Plattsmouth, Cass County NE
Who: Children Age 5 - 12 residing in Cass or Sarpy County who have been adversely impacted by the 2019 floods, COVID-19, or another disaster.
Cost: FREE with lunch included
Transportation: May be available for volunteers
Questions? Contact Jessica at 402-302-0286 or jessicatwentyman.casscountyltrg@gmail.com

The Roles: If you believe in making a difference in children’s lives then there is a role for you! Here is a list of some of the roles, with many of them overlapping. Don’t see one that matches you but still want to help - don’t hesitate to apply!

• Mental Health Professional - Certified MHP, and is intended to be available as needed throughout programming. $750 stipend. ( Job Description)
• Large-Group Lead - Lead the entire group in activities
• Small-Group Lead - Lead smaller groups that are typically divided by age range for programming
• Small-Group Support - Support the Small Group leads
• Kitchen Lead - Prepare and serve breakfast, lunch & snacks
• Kitchen Support - Support the Kitchen Lead
• Recreational Lead - Drives play and games (overlaps)
• Music Lead - Drives music and dance (overlaps)
• Actors - For puppet shows, skits, Noah role - (overlaps)
• Registration/Greeters - Help when kids are getting dropped off and/or picked up (overlaps)

This program will be a 2 weekend-long day camp for elementary-aged children impacted by disaster and/or trauma. The camp will be held in the disaster-affected area in cooperation with local partners, volunteers and communities. Screened and trained, caring volunteers will provide a safe, fun atmosphere for children to tell their stories, face their fears, grieve their losses, build resiliency skills and find hope for the future. Understanding that children have different skill and comfort levels, every child’s unique gifts and talents will be celebrated. Children will be encouraged to participate and share as they feel comfortable. This project - Camp Noah will support the emotional recovery of disaster-impacted communities by providing resources that help children and communities build resilience and preparedness skills and restore hope.

In 2019, both Cass and Sarpy counties experienced historic flooding, causing disaster and trauma to many of its residents including children. COVID-19 has since compounded trauma for these children. Remote learning has added stress to families struggling to recover, maintain employment and supervise their child’s education. Of all people affected by disaster, experts say that children are among the most emotionally vulnerable. Children may react to the trauma they have experienced with fear, sadness, grief, nightmares, fighting, or worries about the weather.

The curriculum is secular and will be delivered in a local school. It consists of multiple sessions, with each session building on the previous ones. Sessions include a variety of activities, including small groups, large group time (which involves music, skits and puppet shows), crafts and recreation. A team of volunteers certified to accompany participants through an intentional process that enables the children to process their disaster and/or trauma experiences. This program is designed to give them the space and time necessary to tell their stories and build resiliency skills. Children who attend Camp Noah learn to identify safe spaces, share stories and feel more prepared for disasters. Additionally they learn strategies to relax, feel more prepared to handle stressful situations, identify themselves as unique and special, and develop hopes and dreams for their future.