On Tuesday May 24, 26 EMHS students were treated to an interactive disaster preparedness session hosted by the Canberra-based Theatre Company the Boho Interactive.
Students participated in two interactive games, Busy Mayors and Evacuation Bingo, alongside hearing about the Eden and surrounds disaster preparedness project and how they could get involved with community-led disaster preparedness.
Boho Interactive hosts Nathan and Rachel, guided students through two interactive games that saw them take on the roles of town mayor, election campaign manager, and a family navigating the tough decisions leading up to a possible evacuation.
As town mayors, students juggled competing priorities, running an election campaign and keeping their constituents safe from an impending storm. The making of hard and fast decisions provoked some lively debate and discussion among students.
Evacuation Bingo provoked even further debate as students navigated the complex decisions families are often forced to make when confronted with an impending evacuation.
Disaster Preparedness Coordinator and session organiser, Jodie Stewart said: “the Boho Interactive session was a great way to get students thinking about some of the challenges that communities face when disaster strikes.”
This session marked the start of the Disaster Preparedness Youth Group program that runs from May through to December at the school. The program aims to bring young people together with combat and emergency response agencies and community groups to identify, develop and implement projects that can support young people to be better prepared for future disasters.
“This was an engaging and fun way to commence our youth group. I look forward to continuing these important conversations with young people at the school and supporting them to participate in the important work of community-led disaster preparedness”, Jodie said.
The Disaster Preparedness project is partnering with the Bega Valley Shire Council, Campbell Page, Eden and Headspace to deliver the program.
If you want to know more about the youth group or the Disaster Preparedness project contact Jodie