2024 & 2025 Impacts

“I am now interested in pursuing disaster management." - 2025 Attendee

2024: Heat Theme

In the kickoff year, we chose heat as the focus. Twenty-four students attended the camp and learned about an array of topics and heat-related issues. See more about the camp and our activities below!

2025: Flooding Theme

Due to Hurricane Beryl striking the Southeast Texas area in 2024, we focused on flooding and its impact on Texas communities. Students learned how to assess risk and explored social and physical vulnerabilities.

2024 Heat Activities

Comic Creation

Students explored comic creation for a younger audience, drawing creative heat mitigation comics to educate others.

Community Ground Truthing

Youth were able to see their community via satellite imagery and find areas where the community data did not match the community's characteristics.

TEEX Firefighter

At the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, students experienced a public fighter demonstration. Activities included a propane burn and other hazard situations.

Virtual Reality Hazard Simulations

Through the lens of virtual reality, students saw hazardous conditions including, air pollution and sea-level rise. Implications for heat exposure were discussed.

Brazos County Emergency Operations Center

Students toured a EOC, learning about the incident command system and career opportunities in emergegncy management

Texas A&M Traditions and Tours

Texas A&M is full of traditions and opportunities. Students were able to tour the famous Kyle Field, as well as explore other parts of campus.

2025 Flood Activities

TEEX

Professional visit to the TEEX Brayton Fire Field Training Center to use firefighting hoses, see demonstrations of fire management, try out hazmat gear, and many other activities.

Building a Better City

Using LEGOS to build cities that are resilient to hazards, students learned about basic urban planning concepts, such as land use planning and flood hazard zones.

Community Leaders

Role play as community leaders and stakeholders in an emergency management game that mimics coordination during disaster response.

Stormwater Drainage

Stormwater drainage assessment tool was used to understand civil engineering and how flooding is managed in urban areas, with outdoor activities in the community.

Plan Making and Community Planning

Students learned about the plan-making process and gave their input on the Port-Athur Comprehensive Plan and identified areas for improvement.

Local Tours and TAMU Exposure

Students got to visit local emergency management offices and tours TAMU landmarks such as that at Kyle Field and other places through student-led tours accross campus.