Town of Steilacoom announcement.
On Friday, July 15, 2022, a group of participants in the Town of Steilacoom’s Summer Camp program went swimming on Anderson Island at the Old Swimming Hole.
One of the participants drowned while in the water. Emergency procedures were administered on site and the child was air-lifted to the hospital where he subsequently passed.
We are not naming the child at this time and ask that you respect the family’s privacy.
In light of this tragic accident, Summer Camp for the week of July 18, 2022 has been canceled.
This is so sad on so many levels. If my children (participants) were enrolled they would quickly be disenrolled. Before I ever let my children “participate” in any function put on by this town I want to see the complete final report and specifically see what the risk assessment was for this program and was it properly staffed and resourced. My heart goes out to those who were there and the family who lost a “participant”. During the 19 July, City Council meeting Chief Yabe gave a brief statement followed by his sincere condolences as did several other members of the council. However, the mayor never acknowledged this travesty, nor did he show any concern about the loss the family and town suffered.
My 10-year old was there as a camp participant. The camp did not obtain permission to take my child to Anderson Island for the day. In fact, I only received an email from the summer camp about the trip 45 minutes after dropping my children off at the camp. If I had known about this excursion, and that the camp was allowing children to swim without life vests in open water, I would have never let my child go. This tragedy was preventable. My heart goes out to his family.
From Steilacoom Around Town Precamp
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“• All campers need to be
able to use the bathroom without any assistance.”
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Apparently, that is more important than passing a swim test , providing lifeguards, and the general safety of our children. I hope the parents have obtained an attorney. There is clearly neglect on the part of those who allowed this to happen on their watch. It is inexcusable and the town will pay and hopefully, hopefully the District Attorney is considering manslaughter charges for those responsible.
As a mother, I would NEVER trust the Town of Steilacoom with the health and safety of my child. We no longer pick blackberries in the various public areas for fear my children will be poisoned by the mindless unconscionable spraying of toxic herbicides. From what I have seen neither Mr. Lovelace nor Dick Muri have expressed any concern about this, so why would we expect them to be concerned about our children.
https://youtu.be/44MiirkLIyg