SOUTH BEND -- A tornado ripped through Iowa killing four Boy Scouts at a leadership camp. Many parents may be wondering how safe their kids are as they head off to local summer camps. Officials say proper training is key to keeping kids safe.

It's the memories that keep counselors like Jessie Emmons coming back to Camp Eberhart year after year. But one of her biggest memories from last summer is something she’d rather forget.

"I was in my apartment reading Harry Potter and all of a sudden the sky got black," said Emmons.

Severe storms ripped through the area knocking down trees and power lines. Although no campers were on site, counselors say it serves as a good reminder that severe weather can strike at any time.

"And it's always on our mind for like sailing and stuff like that," said Camp Eberhart counselor Richard Magill.

This week counselors are going through extensive training for severe weather.

"We've done so much practice and so much drills. We can do it in our sleep like that," said Magill.

To get them prepared, Executive Director Brice Emanuel met with Emergency Management for some advice.

"We walked through the entire facility and what areas were highly recommended for safety and weather alerts and which ones were marginal," said Emanuel.

There are seven places that have been designated as shelters at Camp Eberhart. The Powder Room is just one of them.

"There are no windows and it's built out of cement blocks. So, you couldn't almost ask for a better severe weather shelter. We have sirens on our main lodge and on our waterfront. All of my key staff carry hand radios, walkie-talkies," said Emanuel.

Emanuel says advance warning is the key to keeping people safe during an emergency.

"Safety is the first concern we have with kids in camp and staff," said Emanuel.

Training doesn't just end with the counselors. Campers are also trained for severe weather during orientation. They have discussions in their cabin groups and programs throughout the summer to make sure they don't forget what they've learned.