Category: Water Safety Program

Wesley’s Way Foundation was able to provide funding for the third year in a row for the Dare County Smart Kids R Safe Kids program. The following article published in October is from Dare County News, and it gives a good description of the program.

Dare County first graders receive Go Bags, learn important safety lessons

Post Date:10/24/2024 2:35 PM

Since 2021, Dare County Department of Health  & Human Services’ (DCDHHS) Smart KIDS R Safe KIDS program has been sharing important lessons with Dare County’s elementary-aged students about how to be prepared for hurricanes and other disasters as well as how to be safe in and around the water. 

The program got off the ground during the 2021-22 school year thanks to a NC Public Health Preparedness and Response Bright Ideas Grant and has continued with the help of a generous grant from Wesley’s Way Foundation as well as North Banks Rotary Club. As part of the program, Dare County first graders learn about ocean safety, flood safety and how to pack a Go Bag by watching an entertaining professionally-made video developed by Dare County employees. 

Students also receive their very own Go Bag from DCDHHS, complete with a Go Bag checklist, activity book and crayons, whistle, flashlight and water bottle. The bags also include a contact card for students and adults to fill out. 

“The Smart Kids Program is a fun way for students to learn about and prepare for floods without being scared,” said Dare County Department of Health & Human Services Preparedness Coordinator Greta Sharp. “We hope this program reminds adults to prepare as well.”

There were 316 Go Bags distributed to Dare County first graders in September and with the program in its fourth year, that means that all elementary students in Dare County this year have been exposed to water safety education and received Go Bags. 

The program is well received by students, who regularly send thank you cards for the lessons and the Go Bags. “Thank you for teaching me never to take your eyes off the water,” one recent card read. Another thanked program leaders for the Go Bags. “I loved the whistle,” the student wrote. 

For more information on the program, please visit https://www.darenc.gov/SafeKids. To learn more about being a Smart KIDS R Safe KIDS sponsor, please email Greta Sharp at Greta.Sharp@darenc.gov. 

Information on how to build a basic disaster supplies kit can be found here. 

 
DCDHHS Preparedness Coordinator Greta Sharp

Wesley’s Way has continued our tradition of donating water safety items to Camp Allen in Bedford, NH. The foundation purchased and donated a variety of items from Camp Allen’s wish list for their water program and daily camp activities that will make camp even more enjoyable this summer.

Camp Allen is a summer camp that provides opportunities for growth, friendship, and fun for children and adults with intellectual and/or physical challenges in an outdoor environment. Activities include swimming, hiking, arts, music, dance, and adapted sports.

Wesley’s Way was able to provide funding for the second year in a row for the Dare County Smart Kids R Safe Kids program. As part of the program in 2023, 370 first grade students learned about beach safety and evacuation, and all received an evacuation Go Bag with basic supplies and safety information for their parents.

Please remember to take a few minutes to make sure you are prepared for an emergency because you never know when one may occur. Stay safe everyone!

For more information on Smart Kids R Safe Kids, please visit www.darenc.com/safekids or contact Greta Sharp, Preparedness Coordinator with Dare County Department of Health & Human Services at 252.475.5073 or greta.sharp@darenc.com. 

Wesley’s Way recently went to Camp Allen in Bedford, NH. Camp Allen had a wishlist of items to be used with their water program and daily camp activities. Our foundation was able to contribute many items that will make camp even more enjoyable this summer.

Camp Allen is a summer camp that provides opportunities for growth, friendship, and fun for children and adults with intellectual and/or physical challenges in an outdoor environment. Activities include swimming, hiking, arts, music, dance, and adapted sports.

Wesley’s Way Foundation has covered the cost for 16 children to attend the YMCA’s 6-week long swim program this summer. The lessons are designed to teach safety, technique, and positive swim values while promoting self-esteem and fun. We hope the 16 children who get to attend the lessons will have a great time this summer!

5/2/23 Update:

Since May is National Water Safety Month, we wanted to provide an update to the “Smart Kids R Safe Kids” program we recently supported in the Outer Banks. Over 150 Go Bags have been distributed to students in OBX so far, with each bag containing items such as a flashlight, whistle, ICE contact card, an emergency checklist, and more.

When one of the teachers was asked if she thought her students would remember the beach safety rules included as part of the program, she said “Yes! They were absolutely completely engaged in the video! It was on their level and they were paying close attention. The LOVED all the awesome goodies in the goody bag! We thank you so very much for including us in this project!!!”

Please remember to take a few minutes to make sure you are prepared for an emergency because you never know when one may occur. Stay safe everyone!

October 20, 2022

Wesley’s Way Foundation has donated funds to support Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Smart Kids R Safe Kids program. The program was rolled out in Dare County Elementary Schools last year and designed to raise awareness about water and hurricane safety.  Initially, funds to support the program were received through a NC Eastern Preparedness Region Bright Ideas Grant award.

“The funds we received for Smart Kids R Safe Kids were non-recurring,” commented Greta Sharp, Preparedness Coordinator with Dare County Department of Health & Human Services. “Our team was looking for opportunities to continue the program and had come to the conclusion that we would not be able to continue to provide the Emergency Go Bags. Then, Drew Pearson, Dare County Emergency Management Director, connected me with Wesley’s Way Foundation. Their generous donation will allow us to purchase and distribute Emergency Go Bags for all first grade students in Dare County Schools.”

Denise Beaurivage, treasurer for Wesley’s Way Foundation, traveled from New Hampshire this past week to present a check at Dare County Department of Health & Human Services to fund Smart Kids R Safe Kids.

“When we started Wesley’s Way Foundation, one of our main goals was to focus on water safety education and to find activities that promote water safety, especially near the ocean. For the past four years, the foundation has been looking to assist with projects that we believe will have an impact in our communities, and we were lucky to have come in contact with Greta Sharp and the rest of the team at Dare County,” commented Beaurivage.

Wesley’s Way Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Manchester, New Hampshire. It was developed in 2018 in honor of four-year old Wesley Ryan Belisle, who was on vacation in Dare County when a wave swept him out to sea. The foundation supports projects in Dare County and Manchester that promote water safety, literacy, education, community assistance for children, and access to parks and playgrounds.

For more information on Smart Kids R Safe Kids, please visit www.darenc.com/safekids or contact Greta Sharp, Preparedness Coordinator with Dare County Department of Health & Human Services at 252.475.5073 or greta.sharp@darenc.com. 

Wesley’s Way Foundation has donated and delivered pool supplies to Camp Allen to support the 2022 swimming season. This donation includes water safety items, and we also donated some games and activities to keep the campers entertained throughout the summer!

Wesley’s Way has donated and delivered pool floats, including noodles and kickboards, to Camp Allen in preparation for swimmers attending the camp in the upcoming summer season.

Check back soon – more details will be provided in the coming days.

One of the goals of Wesley’s Way Foundation is water safety. As part of our water safety program, Wesley’s Way is proud to donate 12 life jackets to Camp Allen to help keep its members safe while enjoying the water.

Camp Allen is a summer camp that provides opportunities for growth, friendship, and fun for children and adults with intellectual and/or physical challenges in an outdoor environment. Activities include swimming, hiking, arts, music, dance, and adapted sports. It is located in Bedford, NH.

Wesley’s Way Foundation wants every person who goes near the water to be safe so they can make it home to their family.

To help promote water safety, Wesley’s Way has funded the printing of 10,000 water safety information cards that will be distributed throughout the Outer Banks starting this swimming season.

This is one of the water safety card designs:

Dare Life Ring FRONT Bleeds PRINT

Dare Life BACK Ring Bleeds-PRINT