The aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades fires in January has left many families in California grappling with loss and uncertainty. Among them is 10-year-old Emory Stumme, whose family lost their home in the devastating blazes.
Emory’s struggle became evident during a family dinner when she broke down, overwhelmed by emotions that left her unable to hold a fork due to its weight, as her mother, Becca Stumme, recounted.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God, she’s really having a mental break,'” Becca said, reflecting on that moment.
The Stumme family, along with countless others, faced the disruption of their lives, schools, and routines. After the fires, Emory and her three-year-old brother’s schools paused operations, intensifying the stress of an already challenging situation.
In response to this crisis, Becca learned about a free day camp organized by Project:Camp, aimed at providing children like Emory with a sense of normalcy amid chaos.
Founded in 2018 by Mikey Latner, Project:Camp was born out of a need to help children manage their trauma and adjust to life after disasters. Latner’s inspiration stemmed from his experience working with children affected by Hurricane Harvey in Houston the previous year.
“By providing that sense of safety and normalcy at camp, we can help to lower their stress levels, return them to a routine, and only then can they start to create a narrative around what has happened,” Latner explained.
Since the fires, Project:Camp has successfully launched a series of ten camps for kids aged 5 to 16 in the Los Angeles region, with many running for two to three weeks.
Camp activities varied from typical arts and crafts to games like tag, but they also included important trauma-informed approaches. Mental health professionals volunteered at these camps to assist children grappling with emotional issues.
Kat O’Malley, an associate marriage and family therapist who volunteered at the camp, noted that the wildfires severely impacted children’s mental health. She observed increased instances of panic, nightmares, and separation anxiety among children since the fires.
“Their sense of safety and stability — that was all rocked,” O’Malley said, highlighting the importance of finding normalcy during the healing process.
Becca noticed positive changes in Emory as she attended the camp. “The first day that we picked her up from camp, I was like, ‘Oh, this is the old kid again,’” Becca said.
Through camp, Emory had the opportunity to reconnect with friends and engage in activities without the constant worry of her family’s uncertain living situation.
Similarly, for Marah Eakin, sending her 6-year-old twins to camp provided a vital break. She said it gave her some time to process her emotions and manage logistics like insurance claims.
The Eakin family found themselves moving between short-term rentals since they were unsure when they might return to their home, which stood just outside the burn scar of the Eaton fire. Eakin explained, “A lot of their friends are scattered to the wind.”
The loss of familiar comforts took a significant toll on children’s sense of identity. Marah’s daughter Zella, for example, missed her stuffed animals, which were left behind.
O’Malley pointed out that what might seem minor to adults — a stuffed animal or a pet — could be monumental for children as they deal with their losses.
“The biggest thing…is when something changes your identity,” O’Malley elaborated. “It changes the way you introduce yourself, it changes so much about your identity, to have these shifts.”
At Project:Camp, children are encouraged to express their feelings and share personal stories, leading to their emotional healing. The program features regular mental wellness checks, allowing kids to rate their feelings on a scale of 1 to 10.
Additionally, “gratitude circles” foster an environment where kids can share what they are thankful for, whether it’s about food, their friends, or simply being together.
O’Malley emphasized the importance of children making sense of their experiences on their terms. “When somebody else goes, ‘Oh, this all happened for a reason’ — it’s not for someone else to tell you what your experience was,” she explained.
This freedom enables children to process their experiences more powerfully.
Ultimately, the healing often occurs during informal exchanges throughout the day. As Emory and others began to share their feelings, they gradually found ways to cope with the aftermath of the wildfires and regain a sense of stability.
Through initiatives like Project:Camp, the children are afforded opportunities to be kids, embrace their routines, and navigate their emotions together amidst the turmoil.
In the wake of crises, providing a nurturing and safe space for children can make all the difference in their recovery.
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