Spring Break Camp for Seminole County Children Impacted by Hurricane Ian

Seminole County, FL (March 20, 2024) — The Seminole County Office of Emergency Management, Seminole HEART, the YMCA of Central Florida, and the American Red Cross have partnered to provide Project:Camp, a free spring break day camp to children of families impacted by Hurricane Ian in 2022. The week-long camp, staffed by trained personnel from Project:Camp and the YMCA, offers critical social and emotional support and trauma-informed programming. 

Fifty registered campers who were impacted by flooding from Hurricane Ian are participating in the week-long program. This first implementation of Project:Camp in Seminole County will serve as a test of capabilities, training, and preparedness for future pop-up camps during emergencies.

During Hurricane Ian recovery, the Seminole County Office of Emergency Management identified a need for continuity of care for children and families during disasters. The County coordinated a partnership with long-term recovery group nonprofit Seminole HEART for grant applications, the American Red Cross for grant funding, the YMCA of Central Florida for staff and facility needs, and the California-based nonprofit Project:Camp for training and programming.

Future camps will be scheduled within 48 hours after a hurricane or other disaster. The camps will address the need of children and families during disasters by offering critical mental health and trauma-informed programming to help children cope with the emergency.