By Bailey Coyle, FOX23.com News Staff
BEGGS, Okla. — Families in Beggs are still recovering after a recent tornado damaged parts of the community and forced students out of school for weeks.
Now, a national disaster-response nonprofit is stepping in to give children a safe place to play, connect, and begin processing what they’ve been through.
Project: Camp has set up a free day camp for students ranging from kindergarten through ninth grade. The program focuses on what organizers call a trauma-informed approach, helping kids feel safe, supported, and empowered as they navigate the emotional impact of the storm.
“Project Camp is a disaster response nonprofit, and we go out and put on trauma-informed camps for kids after natural disasters,” said camp manager Mark Andreoni. “We saw what happened to the Beggs middle school and knew this was a place we could help support.”
Organizers say the goal is simple: give children time to just be kids again.
Camp days are filled with arts and crafts, physical games, and group activities designed to encourage emotional expression and social connection. Andreoni said creative activities can help children process stress in ways they may not yet have the words to describe.
“The big goal is just to give them time to be kids, to have fun, hang out with other kids, and take a step away from the disaster,” he said. “In that space, we really see them begin to process what happened.”
The camp also uses structured tools such as emotional check-ins and gratitude circles, where children can share how they’re feeling and listen to their peers. Organizers say these strategies help build resilience and teach coping skills that can last beyond the immediate recovery period.
Andreoni noted natural disasters can affect children in subtle ways, including behavioral changes or increased anxiety, often as they absorb stress from the adults around them.
“Kids pick up on more than we think,” he said. “Giving them a chance to focus on friendships, games, and creativity can make a big difference.”
For parents and caregivers, the camp provides more than emotional support for their children. It also offers time to manage storm-related challenges like insurance claims, housing concerns, or cleanup efforts.
Local volunteers have played a major role in keeping the camp running. Christia Caudel said she signed up after seeing a social media post and realizing she wanted to help her community.
“I live just a couple of miles from where the tornado touched down, and I didn’t know what I could do,” Caudel said. “When I saw this, I thought, I love working with kids. This is something I can do.”
She said the experience has been uplifting despite the difficult circumstances.
“The kids are just kids. They’re wonderful and happy to be here,” she said. “Sometimes they just need space or someone to sit next to them. Even a small moment of comfort can mean a lot.”
Community support has also poured in from local churches, teachers, parents, and donors, providing meals and supplies. Volunteers say that collective effort is helping children feel surrounded by care during a challenging time.
Organizers hope the camp leaves a lasting impression on the young people who attend.
“We want them to remember the support and love they received from their community,” Andreoni said.
The free camp began operating within days of the storm and typically serves about 20 to 30 children each day.
