Children who had to evacuate from the Caldor Fire are finding joy at a free day camp in Reno.
Just as schools were supposed to start this week, families were required to evacuate from their homes in South Lake Tahoe, pressuring parents to find alternative activities for their children.
The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum in Reno has partnered with a Los Angeles-based non-profit, Project: Camp, to offer a space for children and families impacted by the wildfires.
Project: Camp has opened a pop-up day camp at a museum in Reno.Kathy Novak/KCBS Radio
Mikey Latner, the Executive Director of Project: Camp, said that the camp creates a trauma-informed space for kids during disasters as well as offers fun projects. "Disaster response wasn't designed with kids in mind," he said. "So our whole goal is to move into this space where we're really focusing on kids and families and communities."
Mikey Latner is the executive director of Project: Camp.Kathy Novak/KCBS Radio
The pop-up day camp has also provided relief for parents who need support while evacuating.
Kelly Exline, a local parent, said that families are relieved to have a refuge for their children. "You could see the relief on their face when they could drop their kids somewhere safe this morning," she said.
The pop-up day camp will run until Sept. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Participation is free, but registration is required.
