Local Students Learn About Electricity and Safety at Touchstone Energy Camp
This year 124 students were able to combine education and fun while attending the 2011 Touchstone Energy Camp.
The camp, held June 8-11 at YMCA Camp Tecumseh near Brookston, Ind., provided sixth graders from all around the state a chance to learn about basic electricity, electric safety, renewable energy and the role of an electric cooperative, while still enjoying traditional camp activities including horseback riding, archery, swimming, and leadership skill development.
Tipmont REMC, a Touchstone Energy cooperative, sent five students to the annual camp program. Local student participants included Dillynn Summers from Attica, Mariann Raff and Maygan Bonebrake from Crawfordsville, Trinady Ward from Ladoga, Justin Sigo and Leonard Sigo from Lafayette, and Micah Davis from Romney.
This is the ninth year that Indiana’s rural electric cooperatives have sponsored the program. Several employees from the state’s electric cooperatives also participated as camp chaperones, including Tipmont employees Chad (Curly) Jasheway, Jason Monroe, Traci Mountcastle, Travis Smith, Jim Clark, and Abby O’Neill.
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Student campers and Tipmont chaperones attend the
2011 Touchstone Energy Camp. |
A highlight of the camp was a “live line” demonstration that showed the danger lurking in live power lines and provided instructions on what to do if they ever encounter a power line in a car accident or other situation. Campers also found out what it’s like to be a lineworker as they climbed a pole and donned heavy safety equipment used by lineworkers to keep safe while working around electricity.
“The students left camp with an appreciation for the work of co-op employees,” explained Tipmont Communications Coordinator Sasha Clements. “Not only did they get to ride in a bucket truck, they had the opportunity to perform difficult tasks like assembling equipment while wearing safety equipment and using a lineworker’s tools. Co-op employees perform tasks like these every day, in all kinds of weather and conditions.”
Tipmont REMC is a member-owned electric cooperative serving residents and businesses in west central Indiana since 1939. Tipmont provides electric service to more than 20,000 members primarily in Tippecanoe, Fountain, Montgomery, and Clinton counties. Tipmont is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative.
Touchstone Energy is a nationwide alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to members large and small. More than 700 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 46 states are delivering power and energy solutions to more than 40 million members every day. Touchstone Energy cooperatives serve their members with integrity, accountability, innovation and a longstanding commitment to communities.