When Disaster Strikes, Schools Must Step Up to Support Their Students’ Families

The recent wildfires in eastern Washington that forced 60,000 people to evacuate and destroyed an estimated 920 structures serve as a stark reminder that extreme weather is increasingly a part of childhood. As families struggle to cope with the devastation, schools must step up to offer support. In Spokane, public schools have been doing just that by hosting day camps for children of survivors.

These pop-up camps provide a lifeline for parents like Mareesha Backman, who lost her home in the fires. They also demonstrate growing recognition that education in emergencies is crucial. By creating predictable routines and structures, these camps help children make sense of the chaos around them. Education in emergencies aims to create understanding by providing stability during times of crisis.

Spokane public schools have collaborated with national nonprofits, local churches, and small businesses to offer free day camp to affected families. The district has also opened one of its high schools as a resource center, providing essential items like food, toiletries, and insurance assistance. School staff volunteered to supervise children in the auditorium and gym, while the summer lunch program provided meals.

What’s notable about these efforts is not just their scale but also their speed. Within days of the fire, Spokane public schools joined forces with Project:Camp, a nonprofit specializing in popping up free day camps after disasters. Since 2021, Project:Camp has mounted 33 post-disaster camps in 10 states, from Hurricane Ian in Florida to the Maui and Los Angeles wildfires.

These efforts highlight the importance of collaboration between local schools, national organizations, and community groups. By working together, they can bring resources, expertise, and fresh energy to support families in need. Project:Camp’s effectiveness stems from combining their experience with traditional summer camps and their understanding of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Returning kids to a sense of safety and normalcy is crucial, as Latner emphasizes. This requires more than just providing childcare; it means creating an environment where children can thrive despite the trauma they’ve experienced. The pop-up camps may seem like a simple solution, but they require careful planning, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the needs of families affected by disasters.

As we face more frequent and intense natural disasters, schools must be prepared to respond in kind. Education in emergencies is no longer just an international best practice; it’s becoming increasingly relevant here at home. By stepping up to support their students’ families, schools can play a critical role in helping communities heal.

But there’s another lesson from these pop-up camps: the importance of trust. Parents must be able to trust that their children are safe with volunteers and staff who are strangers to them. This requires careful planning, clear communication, and a commitment to transparency. As Jeff Baerwald noted, “outsiders aren’t always going to be embraced,” but when they work together with local groups, the results can be transformative.

As we look ahead to the next disaster, it’s essential that schools and organizations like Project:Camp continue to innovate and adapt. We must also recognize that education in emergencies is not just a response to disasters; it’s an opportunity to rethink how we support vulnerable populations during times of crisis.

The pop-up camps in Spokane may be shutting down for now, but their impact will be felt for months to come. They’re a reminder that when disaster strikes, schools must step up to support their students’ families – not just with resources and services but also with compassion, empathy, and a deep commitment to the well-being of all children affected by trauma.