A New Camp in Eagle County Offers Teens an Opportunity to Learn About Safe Driving, Mental Health, Substance Abuse
Inspired by Vail Health’s Camp 911, a program that teaches young children about Eagle County’s emergency services, Vail Health, Mountain Youth, and the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office collaborated to create a one-day workshop for teenagers on August 4 called Safety, Health, Impact, Future, Thriving (S.H.I.F.T.).
Proposed by Dan Oakley, the resource officer at Battle Mountain, this event initially started as a camp dedicated to safe driving. Vail Health’s trauma program manager, Elizabeth Kruger, later expanded the concept, recognizing that the event should encompass more than safe driving information, and decided to host a meeting with teenagers from schools across Eagle County to ask them what they wanted to learn. The event was then broadened to include topics such as safe driving, mental health, and substance abuse education.
“We started with the kids, we listened to the kids, and we’re going to do what the kids want — or need,” Kruger said.
S.H.I.F.T. features interactive sessions, peer-led discussions, and a victim impact panel that will highlight personal stories from individuals affected by unsafe driving and substance use. Teens will also receive mental health first aid training, equipping them with tools to support themselves and their peers. They left with a chance to win prizes, build practical knowledge, and grow stronger community connections.
