Oklahoma City Camp Still Needs Help After Last Summer's Devastating Floods

Jennifer Pierce, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A local campground for school children is still trying to recover from the floods last June, but the staff can't do all the work themselves, so they're making a call for help.

Two bridges at Camp Dakani were completely washed out in the floods. Now the camp's executive director is asking generous Oklahomans to step forward with their time and tools.

Last June devastating flood waters swept the Camp Dakani campgrounds. Hundreds of campers were evacuated.

Long standing bridges were washed away. Their 24-inch diameter poles were snapped like twigs.

"They are about 30 inches deep and the force of the water just came through and completely broke them off," said Pam Ballard, Camp Dakani Executive Director.

Almost a year later, one bridge has been restored thanks to OG&E volunteers.

"We have a long association with the camp. We've been involved since the very beginning," said Kathleen O'Shea, OG&E spokesperson.

The company originally designed and built the suspension bridges in the 1950s.

"It's really been a focal point of our camp for many, many years, and we want to bring that back for our campers," Ballard said.

But she can't without some extra help.

"If we could have someone donate dozer services and pressure diggers so we could have poles reset that would be phenomenal," Ballard said.

The bridge still needs to be pulled out of the creek and restored for the hundreds of kids that make Camp Dakani their summer home away from home.

"I know the people of Oklahoma are so wonderful and so generous," Ballard said.

Chesapeake has donated $20,000 to fix the bridge but now the camp really needs the large equipment to get the work started.

The camp opens in six weeks.  Anyone who would like to help should call 405-254-2069.