A week after fleeing wildfires that destroyed neighborhoods in eastern Washington, a mother entrusted her youngest child to a temporary care program—a growing trend in disaster response. Local schools have stepped in to host day camps offering children a structured, safe space to process trauma while parents focus on recovery. These programs provide more than shelter; they aim to restore routine and emotional stability amid upheaval. The initiative highlights how communities adapt to crises by repurposing existing resources for vulnerable populations.
SPOKANE, Wash. — One week after evacuating from the wildfires that devastated parts of this eastern Washington city, Mareesha Backman handed over her youngest son to a stranger and took her first deep breath of relief. Spokane Public Schools was hosting what has become a growing part of disaster response: a day camp for children […] The post When natural disasters strike, these camps give kids a safe place to recover appeared first on The Hechinger Report.
