Following the July 4 floods that caused the deaths of 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic, Texas has enacted new safety laws requiring camps to relocate cabins from floodplains, improve emergency warning systems, and enhance safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
Experts recommend parents ask camp operators about measures to mitigate heat, flood, and wildfire risks, including infrastructure, emergency plans, and environmental monitoring, especially given the lack of comprehensive federal regulation and increasing climate-related hazards.
Following devastating floods in Texas that resulted in multiple fatalities at Camp Mystic, summer camps across the country are reassessing and enhancing their safety protocols to address parental concerns and ensure camper safety.
FEMA flood risk maps reveal that over a dozen summer camps along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, Texas, are located in high-risk flood zones, highlighting potential dangers of severe flooding in the area.
The CDC urges summer camp operators to verify children's measles immunity through vaccination or prior infection documentation to prevent outbreaks, especially as measles cases rise and close contact in camps facilitates rapid spread. Children with two vaccine doses are considered protected, while unvaccinated children are at higher risk and may need treatments like immunoglobulin after exposure.
Deion Sanders, Colorado's head football coach, is dealing with an unspecified health issue and has been staying in Texas, missing summer camps and public appearances, but is reportedly feeling well. His son, Deion Jr., indicated his father is recovering at home. Sanders has a history of health problems, including blood clots and amputations. Meanwhile, his son Shedeur experienced a surprising slide in the NFL Draft, which Sanders attributes to unfounded reports and pre-draft interview issues, but remains optimistic about his son's prospects.
Sullivan County Legislature plans to require vaccinations for all summer camp goers and staff, including shots against several viruses such as diphtheria, tetanus, Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, Rubella, polio, chicken pox, meningococcal conjugate, Hep B flu, and pneumococcal conjugate. The lawmakers are considering softening some of the issues raised during a public hearing and are expected to discuss the issue further to come up with a consensus plan.