WAYNE COUNTY, Ind. – Children will have the opportunity to learn everything from fire safety to bike safety this month as Safety Village of Wayne County hosts its annual Safety Kamp, now free of charge.

The camp, scheduled for July 11 and July 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., is open to children entering kindergarten, first and second grades. Lunch is also provided.

Rich Cody, Executive Director of Safety Village, said Safety Village has operated on the former Richmond State Hospital grounds for more than two decades.

“Our mission is to provide various types of safety training to youth,” Cody said. “Whether it’s traffic safety, fire safety, we have a smokehouse or stranger danger, those types of things.”

Safety Village partners with local first responders, including the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Richmond Police Department and Richmond Fire Department, to provide hands-on instruction throughout the year.

During Safety Kamp, children rotate through stations focused on topics such as stranger danger, poison safety, gun awareness, drug awareness and fire safety. This year, Richmond Community Schools will also participate by teaching children about internet safety and cyber issues.

The fire department teaches children how to call 911, develop an escape plan and memorize their home address, while another station focuses on bicycle and traffic safety.

The afternoon concludes with a “Touch-a-Truck” experience, where children interact with emergency vehicles and first responders.

Cody said hands-on learning helps children retain important safety lessons while also building trust with emergency personnel.

“I think instead of just reading something or watching a video, I think they can live it, they see it,” he said. “And more important than that, I think, or just as important, is the interaction they get to have with first responders.”

Cody said this gives children the opportunity to interact with first responders in a smaller group setting. “It gives them a clear indication of what first responders do and how they’re helpful to the kids,” he said.

While technology has changed over the years, Cody said the core safety lessons have remained the same.

“You’re talking about fire safety, get out of the house, call 911. Those things haven’t changed.”

The camp is free this year after Safety Village’s board decided to eliminate the $30 registration fee. Donations from the community are covering the cost of the program, allowing the organization to focus on reaching more families.

Families are encouraged to register in advance so staff can prepare T-shirts, name tags and accommodate any dietary restrictions or special needs. Although walk-ins have been accepted in the past, Cody said advance registration helps the day run more smoothly.

Over the course of the year, Safety Village serves about 2,500 children through its educational programs.

Cody said the organization’s success isn’t measured by attendance alone.

“If we can save one life or one injury, mission accomplished,” he said.

Beyond Safety Kamp, Safety Village hosts annual fire safety classes for around 800 to 900 kindergarten and first-grade students each fall, a Safe Trick-or-Treat event and other community activities throughout the year.

Cody said community partnerships continue to drive the organization’s success.

“I couldn’t be more proud of what we do,” he said. “Absolutely could not do what we do without the support of our tenant partners and the first responders. Its vitally important.”

Images provided by Safety Village.