June 30, 2005

CHICAGO – Among the millions of children in the United States attending camp this summer, about 2,000 of them are doing more than toasting the perfect marshmallow or successfully paddling a canoe across water. At Camp Noah children are not only engaged in summer fun, they're learning emotionally and spiritually to steer through storms of grief, loss and fear that can follow a natural disaster.

Supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Camp Noah is a week-long day camp for children recovering from natural disasters. This summer 40 camps will serve 2,000 children in ELCA congregations and other church denominations across the country and Puerto Rico.

Camp Noah was created by Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota (LSSM) in 1997 when heavy winter storms produced floods in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Leaders from Lutheran Disaster Response – a ministry of the ELCA and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod – and LSSM recognized that the emotional needs of children were not being addressed. The camp is named after Noah, who built an ark in which he, his family and animals survived a worldwide flood. Noah's story is found in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.

"At Camp Noah we examine the story of Noah and his family's journey of disaster and recovery," said Melanie Josephson Davis, a founder of Camp Noah and LSSM director of disaster services. "Children learn to express themselves in comparing their stories of disaster survival to that of Noah's. Metaphors are powerful for children. It provides children the language and modes of expression for sharing what they're feeling inside," she said.

"As children get to tell their stories, it tends to reduce symptoms of fear, grief and loss because they're able to express what they're feeling inside. They also learn about God's love for them and the support systems around them, which helps build resiliency in children. After camp children come out feeling much more confident with an ability to cope when storms may come again in the future," Davis said.

"In Florida, recovery from the 2004 hurricanes is still taking place, and many children continue to live in FEMA trailers and other temporary housing. Children are still living with signs of disaster and its impact," said Davis.

According to Disaster News Network, more than 250,000 children experienced the impact of three hurricanes that struck Florida this past fall. Seven months later, thousands of families are still not in their homes and many more live in disrepair.

"What makes it even more difficult is that hurricane season is here again, and children still have not completely recovered," Davis said.

Each day of Camp Noah opens with worship and includes theme- centered skits and activities, arts and crafts, games and conversations.

"On Monday we have a meteorologist meet with children. They talk about weather systems, what causes a disaster, some warning systems like knowing the difference between ‘good clouds' and ‘bad clouds,' and trigger events like sights, sounds and smells. Sometimes the senses can bring children right back to their experience of the disaster. If dark clouds roll in, for example, it can take children right back to that trauma. So the meteorologist helps explain when conditions are and are not threatening," Davis said. The first day also focuses on preparation for a disaster, and activities for that day include building an emergency preparedness kit for themselves and their families, she said.

The second day focuses on disaster impact, evacuation and change. On day three, children experience "life on the ark" and "living in transition," according to Davis. "We remind children that God loves them and is not punishing them by the disaster. Children also realize that it's okay to be sad or mad about changes, and we remind children that Jesus went through a variety of emotions and that's okay."

On the fourth day children recognize "signs of new life" and "looking at the vision for the future. On this day we might invite people from the community where disaster struck to talk about the recovery and rebuilding taking place in their community. Day five brings about ‘new settlements' and ‘hope for the future,' because of God's love for us," Davis said.

"Camp Noah is meant to be a week of fun. For some kids, families are stressed financially and vacation may not be an option. Children learn what it means to be a child of God, and, like Noah, children learn that they have unique gifts and talents," she said.

"Camp Noah helps by giving children the opportunity to come together and intentionally to think about all the changes that have happened in their lives, and to express their thoughts and feelings that seem appropriate and comfortable to the child. They do so with a group of peers that may be having similar experiences, and they find comfort and support knowing they are not alone," said Davis.

Lutheran Disaster Response supports Camp Noah with its partner Lutheran social ministry organizations in communities impacted by disaster, according to Heather L. Feltman, director, Lutheran Disaster Response and ELCA Domestic Disaster Response. This year Camp Noah is being organized primarily in communities impacted by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne, which struck eastern and southern parts of the United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in 2004.

ELCA News Service