Oklahoma Senator Ally Seifried is pushing new requirements for summer camps to better prepare for severe weather emergencies after a Senate committee approved House Bill 1675.
The measure would require overnight youth camps and outdoor programs involving children to file emergency action plans with their county emergency management office, outlining how staff will respond to threats like tornadoes, flash floods, wildfires and high winds.
“Parents should never have to worry about their children’s safety when they send their kids off for a summer of fun at camp,” Seifried said, pointing to a deadly incident at a Texas camp last summer. “What happened in Texas was a heartbreaking reminder that we can’t take emergency preparedness for granted.”
The plans must include evacuation routes, shelter-in-place procedures, weather monitoring protocols and reunification steps. Camps would also be required to conduct site-specific hazard assessments and provide annual training for staff on emergency procedures.
Seifried said stronger coordination with county emergency managers will help ensure clear communication and faster response when severe weather develops.
House Bill 1675 is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate.
