Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
For sheer excitement, Councillor Debra McCarthy believes it would be hard to beat the Masters of Disasters Camp for young people aged 8 to 13.
And there’s still room for a few more, she told councillors at the July meeting.
So many agencies and businesses have gotten behind the event, soon to take place at the Cobourg Community Centre, McCarthy said,
“For the cost of registration, you will walk away with a goodie bag with amazing things,” she said, including a flashlight from Cameco and a solar blanket from Enbridge.
Natural disasters is the theme of the first day, and it includes a barbecue lunch at the firehall.
Power outages is the theme the following day – which should be of great concern to young people who love their electronic devices. Lakefront Utilities Services Inc. has put a presentation together, and the health unit will discuss food safety (because this is a concern as well, when refrigerators fail).
Flooding is the focus on the third day, with help from the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority. In the afternoon, the Cobourg Police will talk about a new app called I Am Safe.
Programming turns to health the fourth day, with the health unit demonstrating an interesting device that shows just how clean your hands are not after you wash them. Via Rail has its own safety presentation in the afternoon.
A Zombie Apocalypse Race on the final day allows the young people to use what they have learned. The Salvation Army will help out with a barbecue at lunch time, and St. John Amulance therapy dogs will pay a visit.
“This kind of camp has been done in Markham, and it’s cutting-edge,” McCarthy said.
“We know what we are supposed to do in case of an emergency, and the idea is – get them young.
“And the children might influence the family to be ready for an emergency.”