Bandina Christian Youth Camp
Bandera County, Texas
Prepared in compliance with:
House Bill 1 (Youth Camp Alert, Mitigation, Preparedness, and Emergency Response)
Senate Bill 1 (Heaven’s 27 Camp Safety Act)
Texas Health & Safety Code Chapters 141 and 762
1. Purpose and Scope
This Emergency Preparedness Plan establishes procedures to protect campers, staff,
volunteers, and visitors during emergencies at Bandina Christian Youth Camp. The plan addresses
mitigation, preparedness, response, accountability, communication, and reunification for
a wide range of hazards relevant to youth camps in Texas.
This plan applies to all camp operations, including overnight cabins, program areas,
common facilities, and transportation activities, whenever campers are present on site.
2. Regulatory Compliance Statement
This Emergency Preparedness Plan is adopted in accordance with Texas Health and
Safety Code Chapters 141 and 762, House Bill 1 (Youth Camp Alert, Mitigation,
Preparedness, and Emergency Response), and Senate Bill 1 (Heaven’s 27 Camp
Safety Act).
This plan shall be submitted to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
annually for review and approval. If DSHS determines that the plan does not meet
statutory or regulatory requirements, the camp shall correct all deficiencies within the
45-day correction period provided by law.
Upon DSHS approval, this plan shall be submitted to the Bandera County Emergency
Management Coordinator within 10 days.
The plan is provided to parents and guardians of current and prospective campers.
3. Camp Profile
Location: Bandera County, Texas
Camp Type: Licensed youth camp with overnight cabins
Maximum Capacity:
Campers: 350
Staff: 125
Floodplain Status:
Camp structures are not located in a FEMA-designated floodplain. Documentation is maintained on file.
4. Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (EPC)
The camp designates an Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (EPC) responsible for
the development, implementation, training, and maintenance of this Emergency
Preparedness Plan.
EPC Name: Elaine Stotts
Title: Camp Manager
Primary Phone: 830-798-6761
Alternate EPC: Session Directors
Session 1: Cecil Hutson Jr (May 31-June 6, 2026)
Session 2: Doug Selby (June 7-June 13, 2026)
Session 3: Stephen Johnston (June 14-June 20, 2026)
Session 4: Dale Wilson (June 21-June 27, 2026)
Session 5: Grant Jackson (June 28-July 4, 2026)
Session 6: Tom Kimmey (July 5-July 11, 2026)
Session 7: Gerald Elliott (July 12-July 18, 2026)
Session 8: Wes Wilson (July 19-July 25, 2026)
The Session Director serves as the Incident Commander during emergencies unless otherwise
delegated. The EPC acts as the primary liaison with Bandera County Emergency
Management and emergency responders.
5. Incident Command Structure
During emergencies, the camp operates under a simplified Incident Command System
(ICS):
Incident Commander: Session Director or designee
Operations: Area and program leaders
Accountability: Rosters, headcounts, missing camper tracking
Medical: Health services lead, camp nurse(s)
Logistics: Transportation, supplies, lighting
Communications: Staff communications and parent notifications
6. Hazard Identification and Mitigation
6.1 Identified Hazards
Flash flooding (regional risk)
Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes
Wildfire and smoke
Extreme heat
Structure fires
Aquatic emergencies
Medical emergencies
Missing or lost campers
6.2 Hazard Mitigation Measures
Flash Flood Mitigation:
Low-water crossings are not used during rain events or when water is
present.
Early evacuation triggers are established based on National Weather
Service (NWS) alerts and local emergency notifications.
Severe Weather and Tornado Mitigation:
Hardened shelter locations are identified and maintained.
Outdoor activities are suspended upon issuance of severe weather
watches or warnings.
Wildfire Mitigation:
Vegetation management and defensible space are maintained around
structures.
Evacuation routes are kept clear and accessible.
Heat-Related Illness Mitigation:
Shaded muster zones, hydration stations, and scheduled water breaks are
provided.
Staff monitor campers for signs of heat-related illness.
7. Emergency Monitoring and Action Triggers
The camp continuously monitors National Weather Service alerts, Wireless Emergency
Alerts, NOAA weather radios, and Bandera County emergency notifications.
Immediate Action Triggers:
Flash Flood Warning: Evacuation to designated high-ground muster zones.
Tornado Warning: Shelter-in-place in designated hardened structures.
Evacuation Order from Authorities: Immediate execution of evacuation
procedures.
The Incident Commander or EPC has authority to initiate emergency actions based on
alerts or observed conditions.
8. Emergency Warning and Public Address System
The camp maintains an audible emergency warning system capable of alerting all
campers, staff, and visitors throughout the property.
The system includes public address capability utilizing radios and other handheld
audio devices and is operable without reliance on internet connectivity. The
system is supported by electrical power and/or battery backup to ensure operation during outages.
Emergency warning signals and voice announcements are used to direct evacuation, shelter-in-place, or other protective actions.
The system is tested monthly and prior to each camp session. Testing and
maintenance are documented.
9. Weather Alert Radios
The camp maintains multiple operable NOAA weather alert radios capable of receiving
real-time National Weather Service alerts.
Weather alert radios are battery-backed and tested weekly while campers are onsite.
Maintenance records are retained by the EPC.
10. Muster Zones and Evacuation
10.1 Muster Zones
The camp maintains designated muster zones for emergency evacuation and
accountability.
Each muster zone includes:
Assigned cabins and program areas
Designated accountability leader and alternate
Adequate capacity for assigned occupants
Nighttime illumination
Access to drinking water and shade
Muster zone assignments and routes are posted in each overnight cabin and reviewed
during camper orientation.
10.2 Evacuation Routes and Lighting
Cabin-specific evacuation routes are posted in all overnight cabins and occupied
buildings.
Evacuation routes and muster zones are illuminated for nighttime visibility using
permanent, solar, or battery-powered lighting. Routes and lighting are inspected
monthly and prior to each camp session.
11. Accountability and Reunification
11.1 Camper Accountability
Paper and offline digital rosters are maintained for cabins and programs.
Headcounts are conducted upon alarm activation, upon arrival at muster zones,
and every 15 minutes during active incidents.
11.2 Missing Camper Procedures
Immediate notification to the Incident Commander
Documentation of last-known location
Deployment of trained search teams
Notification of emergency services when required
Parent or guardian notification
11.3 Camper Reunification
Reunification occurs only at a designated reunification location determined by the
Incident Commander.
Campers are released only to authorized parents or guardians listed in camp records.
Reunification communications and documentation are coordinated by the
Communications Lead.
12. Emergency Scenarios Addressed
The camp maintains written procedures for:
Flash flooding and flooding
Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes
Wildfire and smoke
Structure fires
Aquatic emergencies
Sever injury, illness, or fatality
Missing or lost campers
Heat-related emergencies
13. Training Requirements
13.1 Camper Safety Orientation
Camper safety orientation is conducted within 48 hours of arrival and includes:
Emergency warning signals
Muster zones and evacuation routes
Accountability procedures
Staying with assigned groups
13.2 Staff and Volunteer Training
All staff and volunteers receive annual emergency preparedness training, including
roles, communications, and emergency procedures.
Training is documented with sign-in sheets and retained for inspection.
14. Internet Service Redundancy
The camp maintains primary broadband internet service delivered via fiber optic facilities.
A secondary, distinct internet connection is maintained to ensure continuity of
communications. The secondary connection is cellular based and tested monthly, and
failover capability is documented.
Emergency warning and public address systems do not rely on internet connectivity.
15. Plan Review and Maintenance
This Emergency Preparedness Plan is reviewed annually, updated as needed, and
redistributed to staff and parents when material changes occur.