Santa Barbara area summer camps doing what they can to keep campers safe during heat wave

Summer camps in Santa Barbara had to modify the way they do camp because of the intense heat on Friday.

“It’s hot,” said 8-year-old Allyson Monroe who attends the Boys and Girls Club in Santa Barbara.

Monroe says she and her friends aren’t going outside as much in order to stay cool.

“We are staying in and staying by air conditioners,” said Monroe. “We are staying hydrated too.”

Executive Director Laurie Leis said they had to change the way they normally do things at the club because of the heat. The weather outside reached the mid 90’s. The hottest it’s been all summer. Luckily for the Boys and Girls Club, there are three rooms inside the building with air conditioning.

“We knew today was going to be a hot day and we modify our program,” said Leis. “The kids will have movie day and we have some frozen fruit treats and some popcorn and they get to watch three different movies in three different rooms.”

Over at UC Santa Barbara, Summer Day camp kids were also spending less time outside.

“We added extra pool time,” said Ethan Shapiro, who works at the UCSB Summer Day Camp. “We also got the kids inside to watch a little World Cup Soccer match, double movie in the afternoon, and everyone gets a bonus Otter Pop.”

Different than a typical day where campers are running around the field, cooling off thanks to the ocean breeze.

“We are just making sure they get plenty of water and sunscreen and keep them inside as often as possible,” said Shapiro.